I have an Intel Core i5-9400 and an older 1GB GT 730 with DDR5 memory. Since I'm currently saving for an SSD and can't upgrade my graphics card yet, would I get better gaming performance from the processor's built-in UHD 630 graphics or from the GT 730? I mainly want to play esports games such as CS2 and Valorant, along with older open-world games like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. I'm not expecting either option to handle demanding modern games, but I'd like to use whichever performs better.
3 Answers
Both are quite weak for modern games, and CS2 may struggle on either one. If you have only 8GB of RAM or are running single-channel memory, the integrated graphics will lose some performance because it shares system memory with Windows. With dual-channel RAM, UHD 630 can be surprisingly close, so the simplest answer is to test both and compare actual frame rates in your games.
The DDR5 version of the GT 730 is probably the better choice, or at least very close to the UHD 630. The DDR3 GT 730 is much slower, so comparisons between the two versions can be misleading. Your system RAM also matters: the UHD 630 benefits a lot from dual-channel memory, while the GT 730 has its own dedicated VRAM.
Exactly—make sure it’s the DDR5 model before judging by benchmark results. A DDR3 GT 730 is effectively a different card for this comparison.
Try each setup for a few minutes using the same resolution and quality settings. Start with the GT 730, then connect the display to the motherboard’s video output and test the UHD 630. Whichever gives better frame rates and fewer stutters is the one to keep using for now. A used GTX 1650 could be a worthwhile future upgrade if you find one at a reasonable price.
You can leave the card installed, connect the monitor to the motherboard output, and use an in-game performance overlay to compare it with the GT 730.