I’d initially feel a bit puzzled if I had a powerful motherboard that could send high-quality HDMI but didn’t have any built-in graphics. However, I’d reassure myself that it’s not necessarily a problem.
I could still make the most of that HDMI port and have multiple display options. But how do I enable motherboard HDMI without integrated graphics? Unfortunately, I can’t do it without a CPU with built-in graphics.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to enable motherboard HDMI without integrated graphics. We’ll delve into what integrated graphics are, how to enable them, and more. So, I was hoping you could stick with me as we explore these details further.
First, we’ll make it clear. What Does Integrated Graphics Mean?
What Is Integrated Graphics? Explore Modern Processors!
![What Is Integrated Graphics?](https://www.motherboardfx.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-25.png)
When a GPU is built into the processor, it’s what we call “integrated graphics.” With images and video hardware built in, they don’t have their separate memory bank. Instead, they share system memory with the CPU. In the past, integrated graphics used to be considered subpar, but things have improved significantly in recent years.
Integrated graphics are now quite adequate for everyday tasks, gaming, and watching 4K videos. However, they may still require assistance in certain areas and are primarily suited for apps that don’t demand intensive graphics processing.
As for playing the latest high-end games, integrated graphics may not cut it, especially if you aim for top settings. Nonetheless, you can still enjoy gaming with integrated graphics if you’re willing to compromise on certain aspects.
What Affects The Performance Of Both Dedicated And Integrated Graphics?
You can use the motherboard’s HDMI port to connect an additional device if your dedicated graphics card has no available ports.
An integrated graphics system with a GPU demands considerable power and memory to render visuals. This can significantly strain the CPU and system memory, resulting in sluggish APIC Timer interrupting messages.
A dedicated GPU, equipped with its memory on separate graphics cards, can swiftly access image data. However, this isn’t the case for integrated graphics.
Integrated graphics struggle to retrieve picture data because they lack efficient memory retrieval methods. Instead, they rely on the device’s memory to access image information.
Removing the secondary monitor can boost FPS (Frames per Second) while gaming, as the onboard images will be put to rest. You can reconnect the computer when you’re finished gaming.
Also read: How To Dual Monitor With GPU And Motherboard? A Detail Guide 2023
Let’s start with our basic question: how to enable motherboard HDMI without integrated graphics?
How do you enable motherboard HDMI without integrated graphics?
![How To Enable Motherboard HDMI Without Integrated Graphics?](https://www.motherboardfx.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-26.png)
Of course, I can only use it with a CPU that has built-in graphics. However, the RX 570 should have three DisplayPort ports. I can easily convert one of them to HDMI for my TV using a cheap adapter. Alternatively, if needed, I could also utilize the DVI port. Adapters for that are also quite popular and budget-friendly.
How do I enable integrated graphics? 7 Easy steps!
The following steps will enable integrated graphics:
- Go to the BIOS and find a part called “Integrated Peripherals” or something similar.
- Look for a choice with something to do with “Onboard Graphics” or “Integrated Graphics.”
- Choose the choice and change the setting to “Enabled” if it’s not already there.
- Go to the display options and switch the mode to “integrated.”
- Choose Manage 3D Settings from the 3D Settings menu.
- Pick the app from the drop-down menu for which you want to pick a graphics card.
- Scroll down and choose the graphics chip you want. For example, if you wish Integrated Graphics, select it.
You can also use the built-in graphics even if you have an extra video card plugged in:
- Go to “Advanced,” then “Chipset Configuration,” and then “IGPU Multi-Monitor.”
- Click on “Enabled.”
- Press the [F10] key and click [Ok] to save the changes. Turn the computer back on.
Read Also: How To Enable Motherboard HDMI?- Power Up Your Monitor
How Do I Turn On My Motherboard’s HDMI? 4 Simple Ways!
Here is a quick do-it-yourself guide on how to turn on your motherboard’s HDMI port so you can add another display device.
![How Do I Turn On My Motherboard's HDMI?](https://www.motherboardfx.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/image-27.png)
- Ensure CPU Has GPU:
Different methods exist to determine if an AMD or Intel CPU has a built-in GPU. To begin, you need to know what kind of CPU you have. After that, check the processor end. It’s a letter that comes after the four-digit number.
If the processor name for an AMD processor ends in “G,” it means that the CPU has a GPU built in. The last letter of the processor name will be “f” for Intel processors if it doesn’t have a built-in GPU.
2. Turn on iGPU in BIOS:
To use the motherboard’s HDMI, ensure the GPU is turned on in the motherboard’s BIOS once you know the CPU has one built in. You can leave this setting at Auto if the HDMI on motherboard is not working, but you need to change it to Enabled if it does.
To start, press the BIOS key several times to get into the BIOS. Depending on the brand, the BIOS key could be the Delete key or one of the function buttons. To do these steps, you must connect the monitor to your specialized graphics card. Without it, your screen won’t show anything.
- The UI of each BIOS is different, so you need to find the settings called iGPU, iGPU Multi-Monitor, or Internal Graphics. Make it work.
- Save your work and leave the BIOS. You can only do the steps above with a specialized graphics card. That’s okay; you can clear the BIOS. Every setting in the BIOS will be returned to its original state if you reset it.
3. Use Device Manager to look at the GPU:
To ensure it’s still not working, open Device Manager and look at the information about the GPU. All the devices that are attached to the computer will be listed in the device manager. It will only work to connect the monitor to the motherboard’s HDMI port if the GPU is turned off or its driver needs to be updated.
As with the step above, which turned on iGPU from the BIOS, you will need a different GPU to do the steps below.
- Hold down the Windows and R keys simultaneously to open Run.
- Start Device Manager by typing devmgmt—msc and pressing enter.
- Make the Display adapter bigger.
- You can see both your built-in and separate GPUs here. Read our post on how to check the graphics card to find out which device is the iGPU and which is the dedicated GPU.
- Identify your iGPU and double-click on it. Check that the device’s driver is up-to-date and not turned off.
4. Check for faulty hardware:
If the first two steps still need to be fixed to turn on the motherboard’s HDMI, there may be a problem with the hardware.
You might also not be able to see anything on your monitor if the HDMI cable or port is broken. Check to see if the monitor shows anything after you change the HDMI cord.
Try a different port if it still doesn’t work. There may be an extra VGA or DVI port on your hardware. Test it with a VGA to HDMI adapter to see if it works.
Read also: What Motherboards Are Compatible With Ryzen 7 5800x? | 8 Best Motherboard For Ryzen 2023
My computer says, “No HDMI Signal.” Why is that?
Well, if you connect the monitor to the dedicated GPU and the monitor displays “no signal HDMI,” it’s possible that the device got turned off in the device manager. To fix this, I need to make sure it’s turned on to receive the signal.
However, if I connect the monitor to the computer and still see nothing on the screen, it’s likely because the CPU doesn’t have a built-in GPU.
Without an integrated GPU (iGPU) on the motherboard, it won’t display anything. So, if my computer lacks an iGPU, I’ll need to install a separate graphics card to get any visuals.
Pros & Cons Of Using Motherboard HDMI:
Aspect | Advantages of Using Motherboard HDMI | Drawbacks of Using Motherboard HDMI |
Connectivity | Provides an additional HDMI port for connecting | Cannot play multi-monitor games |
multiple display devices when graphics card ports | ||
are occupied or insufficient. | ||
Productivity | Enhances work efficiency and multitasking by | Not being suitable for non-gamers or those not using, |
enabling the use of a second monitor. | A single graphics card may not suffice, such as | |
Gaming Benefits | Facilitates gaming with one monitor for the game | |
Interface and another for monitoring hardware and | ||
High-end 3-D software. | ||
Graphics Performance | Improves graphics performance in scenarios where | |
High-end games. Allows for better handling of | ||
High-resolution textures. | ||
high-resolution textures. | ||
Multi-Gaming | N/A (Motherboard HDMI does not support | |
multi-monitor gaming). | ||
Compatibility | Suitable for users with limited graphics card | May not be the right choice for non-gamers or |
options or budget constraints. | those not need multiple graphics cards. |
Using motherboard HDMI can be advantageous when additional monitor connectivity is needed, especially for multitasking and gaming with dual displays. However, it may not be suitable for multi-monitor gaming enthusiasts or users who do not require multiple graphics cards. In such cases, a motherboard supporting multiple graphics cards could be a better choice.
To sum up:
So, I can’t utilize the HDMI port on my computer if it doesn’t come with built-in graphics. If my CPU lacks an integrated GPU (iGPU), then the HDMI port on the motherboard won’t function, even if I have a separate graphics card installed.
To use HDMI on my computer, I need to ensure it has built-in graphics. I’m all set once I confirm that it has images built in. After enabling the motherboard’s HDMI port, I must also ensure that the graphics driver is up to date to ensure proper functionality of my second display device.
FAQs:
Q1. How do I turn on the HDMI port on my motherboard?
The HDMI output for the CPU’s built-in graphics has been turned off. Press the Delete or F8 key to get into the bios setup. In the Advanced/System Agent Configuration/Graphics Configuration menu, check the “CPU onboard graphics multi-monitor” setting to turn on this BIOS setting.
Q2: Why do computers have HDMI ports but not graphics chips?
You would connect your monitor to the motherboard’s display connector if you didn’t have a graphics card or dGPU and wanted to use your iGPU. However, the motherboard’s display connection is only there, so you can access it quickly.
Q3. What can I do to use HDMI if I don’t have a graphics card?
You don’t need a separate graphics card to connect a PC to a television in several ways. Using built-in graphics: Many new computers have built-in graphics that connect to a monitor. Most of the time, the HDMI or VGA port on the hardware is used for this.
Q4: What if my computer doesn’t have built-in graphics?
If your CPU doesn’t have built-in graphics, you won’t be able to start up your system without a separate GPU. If your GPU fails, your PC won’t show any results on the screen.
Q5: Does every computer work with HDMI?
Not all computers have HDMI. Some may have VGA, DVI, or DisplayPort to choose from. Check your BIOS: If your processor has an HDMI port, but your system doesn’t see it, you might need to get the latest version of the BIOS.
You can use the motherboard’s HDMI port for graphics even if it doesn’t have an integrated GPU. To enable the motherboard’s HDMI port, go to settings and search for “enable integrated graphics.” Then, use the motherboard’s HDMI port for graphics, even if it doesn’t have an integrated GPU. Finally, enable integrated graphics on the motherboard’s HDMI port.
Read Also:
- Where do today’s computers store almost all motherboard configuration data?
- Green Light On The Motherboard – Fixing Guide 2023
- What Is The F Panel On Motherboard? A Pro Guide
- What Does Red Light on Motherboard Mean? Understand Signals
- What Can I Hook Up To The Motherboard RGB Header? Unlocking The Magic
References:
- https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/ahkqph/using_hdmi_on_motherboard_without_integrated/
- https://superuser.com/questions/1505399/is-it-possible-to-use-motherboard-video-ports-for-additional-monitors-when-a-cpu
- https://www.quora.com/How-can-you-connect-a-PC-to-a-monitor-without-using-a-graphics-card
- https://linustechtips.com/topic/1534335-how-to-get-display-through-my-motherboard-hdmi-port/
- https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/question-about-cpus-without-integrated-graphics.3647965/