How Useful Are The Integrated Components?

Most motherboards come with a couple of integrated components. Some of them can be very useful while some are useless.

Integrated LAN

This is probably the most useful integrated component on the motherboard. It allows you to connect to the Internet without having to install a separate network card and also free up the expansion slots for other purposes.

Integrated video

You may think that with the integrated video, you can save up on the graphics card. This might be true if you only use your PC for normal word processing and internet usage. If you are thinking of playing game, especially high end 3D games, the integrated video is useless. The integrated video does not contain feature that can render 3D images and it does not come with its own RAM and GPU to handle all the image processing. What you will get is only sluggish performance. It is good to have this integrated component, but it is highly dispensable.

Integrated sound

With the progress in technology, the integrated sound card can support up to 7.1 surround sound system, which is not too bad for an integrated technology. If you are not very particular with sound, the integrated sound can serve as a good alternative for an expensive sound card. For better listening quality, a Creative SoundBlaster can definitely performs better than the integrated sound card.

Integrated WiFi

This is only found in certain motherboard. Same as the integrated LAN, it is definitely a good inclusion to the motherboard as it allows you to connect to the wireless network right out of the box. One point though, as integrated WiFi is only found in high end expensive motherboard, it makes one wonder if there is a need to pay such a high price just for an integrated WiFi.

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