How is display devices connected to the integrated Intel HD Graphics

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Many new Intel processors have got integrated Intel HD Graphics so that there is no need to have a separate graphics card in a system with such a processor. How is a display device, such as a monitor, connected to the integrated Intel HD Graphics? Can it be connected to a display device on a system without a separate graphics card, such as a desktop computer without a graphics card?

Best Answer

On motherboards with Intel's H67 chipset and Intel's Z68 chipset the display device can be connected to a port in the motherboard such as a VGA, DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort.

I learned this via Do I need a GPU to use a built computer?:

Do h67 motherboards have this "integrated video chip"?

The board itself does not, but the Intel CPU's that are compatible with the socket 1155 chipset do. Every H67 based board will have a VGA/DVI port that's driven by the Intel integrated graphics.

And via Intel Core i5-2500, Core i5-2400 and Core i5-2300 CPU Review. Page 4:

The differences between P67 and H67 chipsets are quite logical. The first one is targeted for high-performance desktops, while the second one – for systems working with integrated graphics. So, H67 supports two independent monitor outs, but cannot split PCI Express x16 processor bus in two for a pair of graphics cards.

And via Intel Sandy Bridges H67, P67 and Z68 Differences Explained:

H67 – Onboard graphics are enabled, while overclocking is disabled

P67 – You need a graphics card for this chipset – onboard graphics is disabled, however overclocking is enabled here

Z68 – You guessed it…best of both worlds. Onboard graphics are enabled, as is overclocking

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