Common PC and device terms All about computer memory All about device screens and displays All about graphics processing units (GPUs) All about neural processing units (NPUs) All about processors (CPUs) All about SSD, HDD, and storage types Add a hardware device to a Windows device Safely remove hardware in Windows Check if a Windows 11 device supports Bluetooth Low Energy Audio Connect to a Bluetooth network in Windows How to find Bluetooth settings in Windows Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows Send and receive files over Bluetooth in Windows Supported Bluetooth profiles Turn Bluetooth on or off in Windows What Bluetooth version is on a Windows device Manage app permissions for a camera in Windows Windows Studio Effects Automatically get recommended and updated hardware drivers Microsoft Basic Display Adapter in Windows Get to know the touch keyboard Windows keyboard tips and tricks Change mouse settings Use a pen with Windows Add or install a printer in Windows How to download and install the latest printer drivers Install and use a scanner in Windows Set a default printer in Windows Share a printer as a network printer View a printer's print queue in Windows 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Frequently asked questions Find out how many cores a processor on a Windows device has Windows Arm-based PCs FAQ Enable and disable the touch keyboard in Windows Enable and disable the virtual touchpad in Windows Enable and disable a touchscreen in Windows Fix touchpad problems in Windows

Touch gestures for Windows What to try if a touchscreen doesn't work in Windows The graphics processing unit (GPU) in a Windows device handles graphics-related work. GPUs are also known as video cards or graphic cards. Graphics-related work handled by GPUs includes the following items: There are two basic types of GPUs - integrated GPUs and discrete GPUs. Learn about the different types of GPUs and find the one that meets your needs: Integrated GPUs are built into a Windows device's motherboard. Integrated GPUs normally aren't as powerful as discrete GPUs but are more power-efficient. Integrated GPUs are normally less expensive than discrete GPUs. Integrated GPUs allow laptops to be thinner, more lightweight, and more power-efficient. Integrated GPUs are great for some gaming, light video editing, or working with photos. Discrete GPUs are larger than integrated GPUs and use more power, but they're best for heavy processing tasks like intense photo and video editing, design work, and gaming. Discrete GPUs are larger than integrated GPUs and use more power, but they're best for heavy processing tasks like intense photo and video editing, design work, and gaming. On Windows desktop devices, discrete GPUs are a separate card that gets plugged into the motherboard of the Windows device. On Windows desktop devices, discrete GPUs are a separate card that gets plugged into the motherboard of the Windows device. Windows laptop and tablet devices can also have discrete GPUs directly on the motherboard, but they're often in addition to the integrated GPU. The integrated GPU is used for lighter graphic tasks, while the discrete GPU is used for heavier graphic tasks. Switching between GPUs based on the task being performed allows a balance between performance and power efficiency. Windows laptop and tablet devices can also sometimes have add-on discrete GPUs through external ports that can support the speeds needed by a GPU. Normally the GPU plugs into a Thunderbolt or faster port. Windows laptop and tablet devices can also have discrete GPUs directly on the motherboard, but they're often in addition to the integrated GPU. The integrated GPU is used for lighter graphic tasks, while the discrete GPU is used for heavier graphic tasks. Switching between GPUs based on the task being performed allows a balance between performance and power efficiency. Windows laptop and tablet devices can also sometimes have add-on discrete GPUs through external ports that can support the speeds needed by a GPU. Normally the GPU plugs into a Thunderbolt or faster port. For information about GPU requirements for a specific app or game, check the developer's website. Device's motherboard. Add on card for desktop devices. Motherboard for laptop/tablet devices, in addition to integrated GPU. Laptop/tablet devices can also connect to external GPUs through Thunderbolt or faster ports. Processing power Lighter graphic tasks. More intense graphic tasks. Less expensive. More expensive. Power consumption More power efficient. Less power efficient. Light video editing. Light photo editing. More intense video editing. More intense photo editing. Related articles Find the Windows PC that's right for you . Thank you for your feedback!