A dedicated graphics card is no longer essential for gaming. AMD APUs (Ryzen 8000G) and Intel Core Ultra processors feature integrated graphics capable of running LoL, Valorant, CS2 or Rocket League at over 100 FPS without a separate graphics card.
An APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) is a processor that integrates a GPU directly onto the same chip. AMD uses this term for its Ryzen processors with RDNA iGPUs; if you’d like to understand how an iGPU works, we cover the topic in detail in a separate section.
In this article
Which games run on AMD and Intel chips?
As for AMD, the Ryzen 5 8600G (Radeon 760M, 8 RDNA 3 CUs) exceeds 100 FPS in popular games at 1080p on medium settings. The Ryzen 7 8700G (Radeon 780M, 12 CUs) delivers between 80 and 110 FPS in competitive titles, and between 50 and 80 FPS in AAA games at 1080p on low settings.
As for Intel, the Core Ultra 200S series (Arrow Lake, Arc Graphics 4 Xe) are more limited. The iGPU in the Core Ultra 9 285K performs at roughly the level of a GTX 1050 Ti, which is sufficient for gaming but only just for AAA titles. Intel’s real breakthrough comes with the Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake, late 2026), which features an Arc B390 capable of 99 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p on medium settings with XeSS, and up to 160 FPS with Frame Generation. This chipset is not yet available for desktop use at the time of writing.
| Processor | iGPU | AAA 1080p low |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 8600G | Radeon 760M (8 CU RDNA 3) | 30 to 50 FPS |
| Ryzen 7 8700G | Radeon 780M (12 RDNA 3 CUs) | 50 to 80 FPS |
| Core Ultra 9 285K | Arc Graphics (4 Xe) | 20 to 35 FPS |
| Core Ultra Series 3 (late 2026) | Arc B390 (Xe2) | 60 to 99 FPS |
These figures apply to configurations with 16 GB of DDR5 in dual-channel mode. With 8 GB in single-channel mode, performance drops by 20 to 30 per cent. RAM is one of the key factors influencing the performance of an iGPU.
RAM determines your gaming performance
An iGPU does not have dedicated VRAM. It uses part of the system RAM to store textures and graphics buffers. Memory bandwidth becomes the limiting factor, not the number of graphics cores.
I regularly see Ryzen 7 8700G systems in the workshop fitted with a single 16 GB module in single-channel mode that deliver lower FPS in LoL than a Ryzen 5 8600G with two DDR5-6000 modules in dual-channel mode. Upgrading from DDR5-4800 to DDR5-6000 in dual-channel mode delivers a 10–18 per cent increase in FPS on a Ryzen 8000G. Choosing the right RAM makes all the difference here; two identical modules in dual-channel mode are the absolute minimum requirement. Using just one slot results in a 25–30 per cent loss in graphics performance.
Games that run smoothly and those that freeze
Lightweight titles are the natural domain of modern iGPUs. League of Legends, Valorant, CS2, Rocket League, Minecraft Java Edition, Stardew Valley and Hades all run at 1080p without any noticeable compromise to competitive gameplay, on both the Ryzen 8000G and the Intel Core Ultra 200S.
Recent AAA games require you to drop down to low 1080p with upscaling enabled. With FSR 3 (AMD) or XeSS 3 (Intel), you can gain an extra 30 to 40 per cent in FPS in titles that support it. Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 45 to 60 FPS on a Ryzen 7 8700G at low 1080p settings with FSR, according to measurements by LanOC Reviews. It’s playable, but not at Ultra settings.
Games that stutter are those that require more than 6 GB of dedicated VRAM, ray tracing (iGPUs run it at unusable FPS levels) and poorly optimised PC titles that ignore upscaling solutions.
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AMD or Intel for gaming without a graphics card?
In the desktop market today, AMD reigns supreme. The Ryzen 7 8700G (Radeon 780M) outperforms the Core Ultra 9 285K’s iGPU in games at a comparable price point. Arrow Lake (Core Ultra 200S) has only 4 Xe Cores in its iGPU, which limits its gaming capabilities beyond light eSports.
The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus (Arrow Lake Refresh) outperforms the Steam Deck in graphics performance, according to measurements by Hardwarecooking.fr. Intel is gaining ground but still lags behind AMD’s APUs in desktop gaming. Panther Lake (Core Ultra Series 3, Arc B390) will be a game-changer in late 2026, starting with laptops.
For eSports only (LoL, Valorant, CS2, Rocket League), the Ryzen 5 8600G is sufficient. For a versatile setup that also covers light AAA titles and streaming, the Ryzen 7 8700G offers the best value for money.
Budget for an iGPU setup
A complete desktop gaming setup with an integrated GPU costs around €550, compared with over €850 for an equivalent setup with an entry-level dedicated GPU. This is the main financial advantage of this approach.
AM5 motherboards are compatible with a dedicated graphics card that can be added at a later date. You’re not stuck if your needs change.
iGPU as a stopgap solution or a full-fledged configuration
There are two possible scenarios. You could build your PC now with an AMD APU, using the integrated graphics, and add a dedicated graphics card later when prices fall or your needs change. Nothing is wasted: the AM5 platform remains compatible.
Or a setup for casual gaming, designed to last without a dedicated GPU. For someone who plays a few hours a week of LoL or Rocket League, paying €250 to €300 for a graphics card that will only utilise 20 per cent of its performance doesn’t make much sense. The Ryzen 7 8700G with 16 GB of dual-channel DDR5 meets this need without any extra cost.