intel 2nd and 3rd Gen. processors with built in graphics vs 1st gen.

I have an intel core i5 750 2.66GHZ Lynfield for socket LGA 1156 and a HIS hd 4850 graphics card. I was curious if the newer cpus with the on board graphics were as good or better, than using a decent graphics card? I was thinking about buying a motherboard/cpu combo from New EGG wanting to uppgrade not because I need to, just one of those want to type projects. I wanted to check here first with more experienced people who are familiar with the new intel processors etc. I have a Gigabyte P55M-UD2 Motherboard, 8 Gigs of G Skill ddr3 memory and a Corsair tx 850 power supply. I was just mainly wanting to get a processor/Motherboard combo but, was wondering about the onboard cpu graphics vs. add on graphics cards. I get all my parts from new EGG and any combo suggestions from there that would be a decent upgrade would be greatly appreciated. :)

It depends on what you do with your computer. For general usage, the new, onboard graphics chips would be more than adequate. If you do any 3D work or play any games outside of Facebook, etc, you will want to keep your 4850, or upgrade your card as well.

This pc is used for burning DVD's, FaceBook games, and web browsing and that's about it. :)

I agree. I'm using a Dell Optiplex 790 with an i5-2400 processor in it right now. I am the IT Director for the company, so I do everything from manage the servers to edit/prep video for presentations. I am only using the onboard graphics, and I have no issues.

p5200 said:

This pc is used for burning DVD's, FaceBook games, and web browsing and that's about it. :)

I've got an Intel i5-2500 processor, which uses Intel 2000 graphics. I have no separate video card and haven't yet seen a need to get one.

I think I read that the 2000 graphics were roughly equivalent to a 5450 video card?

The newer Intel CPUs have Intel 2500, 3000, and I think even 4000 graphics and are "better", but the 2000 is plenty good enough for general use.

Put the saved money into an SSD.

A SSD. wouldn't really be of extra benefit for my case since we don't do a lot of file searching on our pc and would not be beneficial for internet browsing or would it? I'm not familiar with the new solid state drives. :)

p5200 said:

A SSD. wouldn't really be of extra benefit for my case since we don't do a lot of file searching on our pc and would not be beneficial for internet browsing or would it? I'm not familiar with the new solid state drives. :)

You can certainly do fine without one, but they increase the overall "snappiness" of your PC and are a better investment than more RAM or a faster processor in many cases.

Most people just put the operating system and applications on the SSD, with all data remaining on a regular drive. You wouldn't have to spend over about $100.