In general, if you get a computer with "integrated graphics", meaning that the CPU basically also acts as a GPU, or it's all built into the same thing, then is it possible to later upgrade by adding a real video/graphics card, so that it would then recognize that and use it instead, or would that computer/motherboard forever be stuck with integrated graphics?

And by the way, how good can integrated graphics be anyway? And how compatible? This particular computer would be for someone who likes games but is not a super-hardcore gamer and probably wouldn't need the best of the best in terms of graphics, but would need the games to at least work properly and would probably want at least reasonably good graphics.

Brand computers may completly lack the PCI-E slot = not possible to add any card that needs that. Usually their power supplies are also so weak that you can only add something like a GT 1030.

Wow really that's a thing? How annoying / stupid.

And OP - as long as the motherboard has the slot (PCI-E - which most do) you should have no problems adding a discrete GPU later. Assuming we're talking about a desktop here - laptops you have to jump through a few more hoops and it probably isn't worth it unless you're looking for a very expensive, large and heavy gaming type laptop.

As Themken mentioned, you'll probably need a new power supply also. A lot of GPUs are a bit piggish and you'll want something more than a stock PSU from a mainstream desktop.

Finally, I actually disable my onboard integrated graphics. That way there's no confusion and I know it's always my GPU doing the work. Less to go wrong with drivers, settings, etc. No harm no foul - there's no reason not to do it.

You always have the option of installing a graphics card on your computer if you have a free slot for it on your motherboard, it's a matter of installing the card and then the proper drivers so your operating system can recognize the new GPU and use it instead of the one that comes with the intel CPU.

Integrated graphics are an option for light gaming, with them you can run games like Rocket League and some indies as well. So it all depends on what do you want to play and in which conditions (low to mid level of detail and Full HD most of the time, Quad HD and 4K are out of the equation). You most probably won’t be able to run The Witcher 3 or any demanding triple A game, and if you could, then the quality would be so low that I’m not sure if it’s even worth playing them.

To conclude, you always have the option to buy a graphics card in the future although if you’re considering Integrated Graphics for budget purposes, maybe it’s worth planning before hand which games you’ll be playing and maybe buying something like a Pentium G4560 with no integrated graphics and a budget decent graphics card like a 1050Ti.

Laptop or desktop?

If laptop... no chance of upgrading unless it has a thunderbolt 3 port where you may be able to purchase an external graphics device eg the Razor core is the most well known... though there are alternatives

If desktop - as long as there is a PCI-E slot available then a graphics card can be added later.

As for games... integrated graphics are serviceable on Medium settings... though it depends on the chipset of the MB / CPU - what games on what specs are you going to be rnning?

That GTX 1050Ti... I have been eying them for a while now as a good upgrade. Blah blah blah you need at least a GTX 1070 blah blah.... if you want to play VR. Not for my purse, only filled with coppers and a single silver coin.

If thinking of choosing a card, you need to know what resolution your monitor is.

Integrated is okay for some games IF it is a very modern version and from the more powerful end.

really need to know make and model of your machine.

If it has an AMD processor you might find it surprisingly capable of playing many games.

One of my Daughters has an A series APU computer which plays anything pre 2010 very well, and pre 2015 on low-medium settings.

It should be possible if the motherboard has the PCI Express slot for it, I have done it on several computers.

I just thought of one more thing: Must make sure it physically can fit into the box. We are talking desktops here all the time.

Have you actually bought this computer or just thinking about it?

Its still worth posting up make/model for people to look up.

Actually someone wanted some advice on a cheap computer to get so I've just been looking around a little, but I want to know how I would be able to tell whether the video card can be upgraded, if it doesn't specify whether it has a slot for it?

Alright, I guess that's as good a solution as any. Thanks.