Hi DitchMonk, many folks can get along with basic video cards. The problem with many addin cards though, when a new system comes out, is Companies take the opportunity to drop Driver Support at that point.
They do not get to sell any more hardware by making new drivers for old stuff, which "Costs". So what happens is your "Video" need becomes a matter of a card that is "Supported". Probably results in spending $$$ for something that has Drivers that work.