Does an integrated GPU matter if I have a Dedicated GPU also?

[User9500]

I'm considering what processor to get for my next computer when Alder Lake comes out.  Intel makes has both K and KF versions of many processors, with the K version having an iGPU, but KF version excludes it.   The iGPU processor supports Intel QuickSync Video, where the KF version does not. 

Question: Considering I already have an RTX 30 series card and can do NVENC for exporting, is there any benefit to having the iGPU / Intel Quicksync?  Is there any place where hardware acceleration can only be done (like the timeline or something) via Intel's iGPU, but not a discrete GPU?

Also, though this question is in the Premiere Pro section, does anyone know if the answer is different for other programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, etc?

[Kevin-Monahan · Accepted solution]

Hi User,

Thanks for the question:

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Question: Considering I already have an RTX 30 series card and can do NVENC for exporting, is there any benefit to having the iGPU / Intel Quicksync?

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If you can offload H.264 or HEVC decoding on the iGPU and save those cycles for the NVIDIA GPU to do your effects processing, scaling, and other Mercury Playhback Engine related processes, I think you're going to have a much better performing machine if you edit a lot with these codecs.

Not having QuickSync is a drawback for AMD users and for those unfortunate folks that decided to get an Intel CPU without that support. I don't use PCs, but if it were me, I'd go for the Quick Sync capable CPU.

The only case of not worrying about Quick Sync was if you worked only with intraframe formats (ProRes, DNx, etc.), which was the norm "back in the day." No longer, almost all post is done with H.264 and HEVC files these days, I've found. Your choice is clear, that is, if you want the least amount of trouble with these files that come in a most unfortunate codec: H.264. It's the absolute worst.

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Is there any place where hardware acceleration can only be done (like the timeline or something) via Intel's iGPU, but not a discrete GPU?

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I hope I am understanding your question correctly. "Hardware Acceleration" and the iGPU has to do with encoding and decoding of playback of H.264 files using NVENC. Check out Preferences > Media to switch that on or off. It requires a restart. Discrete GPU has more to do with Mercury Engine processes: scaling, color space, frame rate, blending modes, GPU accelerated effects, etc.

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Also, though this question is in the Premiere Pro section, does anyone know if the answer is different for other programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, etc?

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No, these are more affected by the discrete GPU. The iGPU is mainly for encoding and decoding H.264 and HEVC video formats, which you don't really handle in other applicaitons like those.

I hope this info helped.

Thanks and good luck,

Kevin