iGPUs

iGPU, short for integrated graphics processing unit, refers to a graphics processor that is built into the same die or package as the central processing unit. Unlike discrete GPUs, iGPUs share system memory with the CPU and are common in laptops, ultrabooks, and many desktops where power or space constraints are important. They emphasize energy efficiency and compact design, rather than raw gaming performance.

Most iGPUs use a unified memory architecture, without dedicated video memory. They include a set of shader cores or execution units and rely on the host CPU's memory bandwidth. Modern iGPUs support graphics APIs such as DirectX, OpenGL or Vulkan on Windows and Linux, as well as Metal on macOS. They also include hardware accelerators for video decoding and encoding, enabling efficient playback of common codecs.

Notable families include Intel's integrated GPUs (HD Graphics, Iris Plus, Iris Xe), AMD's Radeon Graphics integrated into Ryzen APUs, and Apple's integrated GPUs in the M-series and A-series chips. ARM-based designs used in some laptops and phones also feature integrated GPUs, such as Mali or other mobile-focused GPUs. The performance of iGPUs has improved significantly over time, but remains well below that of modern discrete GPUs.

Typical use cases include everyday computing, 2D acceleration, multimedia playback, light photo and video editing, and casual or older-genre gaming at modest resolutions and settings. iGPUs are favored for thin-and-light laptops and energy-conscious desktops where gaming is not the primary task or where passive cooling is required.

Limitations include limited VRAM, constrained bandwidth, and lower shader counts compared with discrete GPUs, which can restrict high-end gaming or GPU-accelerated workloads. As a result, many users needing strong gaming performance or professional graphics workloads still rely on discrete GPUs, though iGPUs have grown capable for a broad range of tasks.