Asus Z87 K/PRO onboard Graphics

[Brain-ache]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone can give me some info...

I'm building a desktop pc for a friend who requires it for higher end audio production and have been looking at getting one of the asus Z87 model MB. Being a gamer myself I always tend to spend a lot of money on the GFX card, however with this build I'm wondering if it will even need one?

Does anyone know if the onboard graphics will be decent enough for this type of pro audio rig, or is it worth spending £70 to get a mid range dedicated GPU card anyway?

Thanks!

[liammcd]

That's a decision you don't need to make immediately.

If you have a go with the integrated graphics and it just doesn't measure up, then you can add a discrete card afterwards without significant hassle.

[pastymuncher]

If you are going to be using the onboard then remember that the onboard is in the cpu now so it's the choice of cpu that determines the gpu speed. All the Haswell i7's along with the 4670/4670k have Intel HD 4600 graphics 350/1200mhz, 4570 has HD4600 350/1150mhz, 4430/4440 has HD4600 350/1100mhz. Intels onboards are very good these days and for the use that you describe i reckon it would be more than enough for his needs. You can always add a gpu later if needed.

[Bonebreaker777]

Agree. I would dare even to say that literally ANY Intel GPU will be more that enough for his needs for now.
And if he is going into sound and audio, Gigabyte is releasing a new line of MoBos with better that average equipment for audio > H81.AMP-UP.

[Bonebreaker777]

But I have to say, more and more professional programs are using GPU acceleration, wouldn't be surprised if there would be one program as a audio synthesizer or editor with GPU acceleration support (either CUDA or OpenCL).
Something like real time GPU Audio or something similar.

[qazzaq2004]

He should be fine on integrated, but if he ever had the urge to play a game he is going to get far without a dedicated card.

[galacticfear]

I think it is pointless to not get a dedicated card... even a really low end cheap one would be better than intergrated graphics now.

[capa06]

A dedicated card seems not useful, get an i5, the on-board GPU is quite enough for normal daily use, even for some undemanding games.

Save the money for GPU, spend that on CPU.