Does a notebook with an i5 processor need a GPU?

I am somewhat confused. I am reading the i5 has an onboard GPU. However, some systems with an i5 I am looking at have a GPU. Is it necessary to have that GPU (Intel HD Graphics)

 

Majority of budget laptops which are not intended for heavy graphics use come with onboard graphics.
The i5 series integrates the gpu on the cpu chip itself and increases it's processing capabilities (resulting in a faster IGP ... however still much slower compared to dedicated graphics).

It's a new i series architecture and comes as a standard.
However, if you get a system featuring an i5 and dedicated GPU, then you don't have the ability to switch between the gpu's.
For some reason, they neglected to input this ability into this generation and should be done in the upcoming one (which would server people who do heavy graphics as well, because for heavy graphics, the dedicated gpu will be kicking in, and for the simpler aspects the onboard IGP will handle the rest - which also results in lower power draw and heat emissions).

 

If you're going to play modern games, a discrete GPU is a must. Otherwise the onboard GPU is enough for web browsing, watching videos, etc.

 

The Intel HD graphics are actually integratd into the CPU. If the notebook has an Nvidia or ATI card, then that is not built into the GPU.

As others noted, whether you need a dedicated GPU or not depends on what you do. So, what are you doing with this notebook?

 

All computers need a Northbridge.
All of intel's northbridges have an IGP inside of them.

So yes, if you get a rig with a dedicated GPU you've also got an IGP.

 

In other words, it's not necessary, but since it's integrated with the CPU, the manufacturer can't get rid of it either. So it's just there, whether the GPU is being used or not.

 

you CANNOT remove the intel HD graphics(the IGP). its part of the processor.

if the lappy DOES NOT have a discrete graphics card(look for 'radeon' or 'geforce' names), then the IGP will be active and used.

if it DOES have a discrete card, then your IGP will be 'inactive'. that is UNLESS the laptop builder chose a motherboard that supports GPU switching; this obviously means that you can choose to use the more powerful discrete card or the power-saving IGP. as a note, this feature is VERY rarely enabled; just because your laptop has an i5, don't assume that you can use the IGP.

 

Simple=if u want gaming + accelerated video(reduce burden on cpu),then go for discrete gpu .For basic stuff i5 has inbuilt gpu which is enough