How to return to the integrated graphics?

[Duncan_James]

Hey guys

So i need you to help me fix my brother's pc as he's facing a lot of problems with the Nvidia graphics that he bought long time ago

Here are the specs of the computer he has :

Motherboard: Gigabyte G41MT-S2PT (Rev 1.1)
Processor     : Intel Pentium 4 531 (3.00GHz)
Memory        : 4GB (DDR3)

Currently he has Nvidia GeForce GT-520 (2GB) as a graphics card, but since it's causing a lot of problems since long time ago regardless the latest drivers that he installed, he wanted to go back to the integrated graphics which comes with the motherboard (Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500)

So i need to ask about several stuff:

1. How to return to the integrated graphics? (Is it a matter of switching options in the BIOS? Or he needs to open the case, take off the Nvidia graphics card from the PCI slot and then connect the cable in the port of the integrated graphics?)

2. Is it right that the memory of the integrated graphics increases with the RAM? (I've heard for example that people with 1GB RAM should have 256MB as graphics card memory, whereas the people who has 4GB RAM should have around 1,7GB as graphics card memory)

3. Is it true that this type of processor (Intel P4 531) doesn't support 64bit operating systems?

4. Is DirectX 10 installed automatically with Windows 7 or he needs to download it and install it by himself?

I'm waiting for your assistance as the next and the final question is based on the answer

Greetings,
David_Simpson.

[Devin]

I've never had to do it personally so it may be a shot in the dark;

1. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS, enable Integrated graphics in the BIOS, Save & Exit. Shut down the computer and remove the current GPU, connect the screen to the integrated graphics port and it should be sorted.

2. I'm not sure on the specific values, but the integrated graphics uses processing power from the CPU and memory from the Ram, so the more Ram, the more video memory you have available, but it also means there's less for the CPU.

3. Intel P4 531 is able to support 64bit Operating Systems.

4. It all depends on the build version of your OS as the older versions run DirectX 10.1 and later versions run DirectX 11.

[Duncan_James]

1. Could you tell me where should i go exactly in the BIOS menu?

2. I understood the fist part but the part of "but it also means there's less for the CPU" isn't completely clear, could you explain more?

3. I'm not sure about this since i googled and many people said it's not possible (Google: Is Intel Pentium 4 compatible with 64bit). Since it's not completely clear, is there any harm that i go on with Windows 7 32 bit?

4. I'm going to install first release of Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit, not the SP1, it it acceptable? Beware that the integrated graphics card which comes with this motherboard (Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500) supports up to DirectX 10 (This is mentioned in the official page of the motherboard in Gigabyte website).

[Darxez]

X4500 is a shit card.. IT should be able to run Win7 but from my side, I would get a temp card for around 20-30 bucks for the time being.

[Devin]

To enable the integrated graphics, there should be an option under the Advanced BIOS Features menu or something alike. At times you don't even have to enable it, you just connect a screen to the port and it should boot on that screen if there's no current GPU connected.

About the CPU having less memory, with an onboard GPU, it takes resources from both the CPU and RAM to power the graphics.
By having a GPU in the PC it not only makes a difference to processing power, but to data transfer as there will be more free RAM.

The Intel P4 531 is able to run 64bit Windows 7, however there's really no advantages to using Windows 7 64bit on 4GB of ram unless you plan on upgrading the ram in the near future, although it does say 4GB (3.5GB) usable, there's no performance difference between the 64bit and 32bit at the end of the day with such a low amount of RAM.

That OS will work just fine, if you get any DirectX issues, find a download for DirectX 10 and install it.

[Duncan_James]

Alright, all points have been read and understood, the topic can now be locked, thank you all

[Inposible]

The first option is the way to go, same way for me. I got a GTS 250 1gb installed, simply take the DVI cable and plug in to the integrated one that comes with the motherboard, and thats it..

[Duncan_James]

Alright thank you Inposible

[TheRock]

Unplug the card, remove the BIOS battery, re-insert it 3 mins later, plug the VGA to motherboard's image exit, boot and done.

[Duncan_James]

Would be there any harm if i just take out the GPU from the PCI slot and remove the cable then plug the screen cable on the integrated GPU port or?

[Devin]

None at all, that's what you should do if you want to use the integrated graphics, just remove the power from the computer first of course.

[Duncan_James]

Alright thank you