Integrated sound isn't on the CPU... but rather the motherboard.
While Integrated Audio has improved over the years, it's not what you'd want to use to run DAW software.
The noise-floor is significantly higher... and more importantly, there's no ASIO or WDM/KS driver to provide rock-solid low-latency performance.
For DAW purposes, you absolutely want a dedicated audio interface.

kitekrazy1
 
Not in the music field = obvious.
 

I don't understand the need to abuse the OP. It's never been a requirement to be an expert in the music field to ask questions here.
 
He clearly stated that fact (in all caps - meaning he is already aware) as the reason he asked this usually helpful, friendly, forum for advice.  To which MOST of the members submitted constructive advice.

UCG Musician
I am ordering a new computer shortly.  My son -- who's in the IT field (NOT THE MUSIC FIELD!) -- tells me the integrated audio on the latest Intel processors is so good that I do not need a sound card or external USB Audio Interface.

I am failing to find any information about audio changes on Intel site...
 
In any case, HDMI "audio", while represented in Windows as an "audio interface", is not really an audio interface. From what I know, HDMI can not transfer analog audio. So it is about transferring some bits between 2 destinations (like USB, Ethernet, WLAN of Fireware). And so it is not possible to speak about the "quality" of any conversion or processing, when happens, that is digitally done in software.
 
Using "non musical" interfaces (RT in my notebook with ASIO4ALL and SB in desktop with own ASIO drivers) the latency in Keyboard->USB->VST->Audio route was not an issue for me. But the noise from SB and low quality of the sound (so DAC and related audio circuit/wires) from both can be notices by complete noob in music production once something better then 20 euro PC speakers are connected to the output...

not true.
 
while I agree that in no way would i recommend anyone to use the onboard audio for any serious music application, current realtek onboard audio DOES indeed have asio drivers and pretty low latency..  or, to be accurate.. my 2016 dell xps13 does :)... 
 
So, the latency and audio quality are an order of magnitude better than a few years ago, and can effectively be used for playing soft synths and sound design when on the go... when previously it was not even an option..
 
 

Jim Roseberry
Integrated sound isn't on the CPU... but rather the motherboard.
While Integrated Audio has improved over the years, it's not what you'd want to use to run DAW software.
The noise-floor is significantly higher... and more importantly, there's no ASIO or WDM/KS driver to provide rock-solid low-latency performance.
For DAW purposes, you absolutely want a dedicated audio interface.

The noise-floor of integrated audio is much better than it used to be...
With the A/D inside the box, you'll struggle to see a measurable noise-floor much below -100dB.
Lynx has used shielding and other design choices to help minimize noise with in-the-box A/D... but you won't find that quality in a Realtek or SoundBlaster design.
 
SoundBlasters have an ASIO driver.
Does it work? Yes.  Is it on par with RME, MOTU, Lynx, etc?  No way.
Would I recommend that to any client who's serious about working with audio on a high-performance machine?
Absolutely not.
 
If you're in a situation where you're flying and you want to listen to projects mid-flight... or do some light editing, I could see using onboard audio (as there's not really another choice).
Otherwise, even an inexpensive dedicated audio interface is a significant improvement (both in sound and in the quality of the driver).