- An Asus executive was asked if integrated graphics on laptops represent the future of PC gaming.
- He responded that “we are definitely entering the area where this becomes a possibility” and that “it’s just a matter of time.”
- The executive acknowledged that this was a thorny issue, with many nuances and other factors to consider.
As integrated graphics make new strides in performance – the latest being Intel’s Panther Lake processors – talk is once again turning to when discrete GPUs might become effectively useless.
And according to Asus, in an interview with Tom’s Guide at CES 2026, we’re now entering the territory where it’s possible that integrated graphics will be the future of PC gaming.
For the uninitiated, a discrete GPU, as the name suggests, means a standalone graphics card, as opposed to integrated graphics built into the processor, and obviously, with a full, separate expansion card to work with, you can get much more powerful levels of performance.
Dedicated gaming laptops still use discrete GPUs for this reason, but how close are we to the point where these standalone cards will actually be shelved?
Tom’s Guide asked Sascha Krohn, director of technical marketing at Asus, if integrated graphics on laptops represent the future of PC gaming.
Krohn responded: “I would say we’re definitely entering the territory where it’s becoming a possibility. I think it’s something that, in the past, you couldn’t really do, but I think now we’re getting to the point where, and just the fact that you’re asking the question – you’re not the only one – shows that if you follow this trend, it’s probably going to happen. And it’s just a matter of time.
“Are we there right now? I’m not sure if we’re there yet right now. It’s going to be very interesting in the end how the market reacts, like how end users react to this.”
Analysis: Panther Extreme Halo effect
That’s a bold statement, because even though Krohn says he’s not “sure” we’ve gotten to that point, the doubt implies that we might well be there — or at least getting close. The new integrated graphics on Intel’s Panther Lake chips are impressive, and the same goes for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon
Krohn points out that Cyberpunk 2077 performs impressively on integrated graphics these days, which is remarkable. But the question of when integrated GPUs might actually break into discrete cards is a thorny question, as the Asus executive acknowledges.
Krohn observes that of integrated graphics: “And I think it really depends on who you ask, right? I think there are a lot of people who would say yes, this [integrated GPU performance] it’s good enough for me, it’s quite good. I don’t need more. But calling it a dedicated gaming device is a whole different story, right? »
He continues: “I think the expectations, once you call it a gaming laptop, are probably higher. Gaming laptops aren’t going away anytime soon, even in the long term.
And that’s the crux of the matter – we’re not talking about the death of discrete GPUs here, because that’s a long, long way away. If that ever happens, enthusiasts will still want better and faster GPUs to keep 4K games running smoothly, at native resolution (without AI tricks), with all features enabled. Likewise, discrete GPUs will continue to get faster, as will integrated solutions. The inconspicuous will naturally continue to sit at the top of the tree.
So what we’re really talking about is when integrated graphics will become good enough that the vast majority of gamers will be happy using them, and okay, that point may not be that far in the future. But I think we’re still a ways off, and while integrated graphics will undoubtedly continue to make good progress in performance, as noted, so will standalone GPUs. While it’s true that in laptops, within the confines of the chassis, ever-increasing power consumption could be a problem for discrete GPUs, advances in cooling solutions can help.
It’s a tough decision, of course, but I think Asus is veering somewhat to the optimistic side of the fence here. Ultimately, one factor that could be key for discrete GPUs is whether there will even be the will to continue developing faster and faster models, because if AI continues to grow, the momentum behind GeForce gaming GPUs could wane. It’s not hard to envision Nvidia throwing its weight behind AI at the expense of gamers, and people have been speculating for some time that Team Green might not continue its GeForce gaming line forever.
The best graphics cards for every budget
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