Question About Graphics Cards

Hardware Hub GPU
1

Hello Tek Syndicate!

I was wondering that if I buy an APU to use before buying a discrete graphics card, and if the integrated GPU inside the APU will conflict with the graphics card's compatibility or performance at all.

I was looking into buying an AMD A10-6800K APU for $130 off of Amazon, and was curious of buying a Radeon 7870 or anything like it or better a while after I finish building my to-soon-be-build PC that I haven't both all the parts to yet. So I was wondering, can I run the graphics card at it's indicated quality without suffering from any performance issues with the integrated GPU in the processor? 

I think that the GPU inhibiting the x16 speed PCI-Express slot will cancel out the signal from the motherboard to the integrated video, like what my older pre-built store bought computer did when I added a discrete graphics card to it years ago.

Anyway, I hope to get answer soon ahead of time so I'll know what to do when the time comes. I'm sorry if any of the stuff I was saying didn't make sense, because I just got into computer hardware after a friend recommended me into building my PC instead of buying one.

Thanks in advance,

VGam3r97

2

When you put in a discrete card, the iGPU will disable and it won't affect your discrete card at all. If you choose to overclock your CPU, it will make your CPU slightly hotter however.

Have you considered the Athlon X4 750/760k? They're an APU without the iGPU, and then cost ~$80. You would need a discrete card to run with them though.

3

I haven't considered the Athlon APUs, but it's definitely something I should look up. Thanks for the help.

4

What about just going on the FX platform? If your going Athlon with discrete, why not FX? If you're getting discrete at a later date, than it's understandable. 

5

That is a much better option overall.

6

I agree with going FX as mentioned.

Your going to be buying a lower end discrete card, but it will be the same as your APU in the end. Also, if you go FX you won't have to think about CPU upgrades any time soon, which I fear you may with an APU but then again don't know too much about APU's since they never peaked my interest.

7

The thing is that likely going FX will result in no upgrade path as it has been rumored that AMD is not going to release any new CPUs for AM3+.