What Is The Graphic Processing Unit (GPU)?

What is in a Graphics Processing Unit?

The graphics processing unit, or GPU, is a specialized processor designed to handle graphics-related tasks, such as rendering images, processing videos, and creating visual effects.

By taking on these specific duties, the GPU relieves the central processing unit (CPU) of heavy graphical work, allowing the CPU to manage other tasks more efficiently.

Evolution of Graphics Processing

In the early 1990s, the Very-Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) technology allowed engineers to incorporate more transistors (semiconductor devices used to amplify or switch electrical signals and power) on a single chip, enabling the inclusion of additional functions in both CPUs and graphics processors. The advancement was integrating graphics transformation compute elements into graphics processors.

Graphics architects identified that transform and lighting (T&L) functions, previously managed by the CPU, could be more efficiently handled by the GPU. This led to the development of T&L engines, improving graphics performance and enabling more advanced and realistic visual effects in computer graphics.

The term "GPU" has been in use since at least the 1980s, but it was Nvidia who popularized it in 1999 by marketing the GeForce 256 add-in board (AIB) as the world's first GPU. This product offered integrated transform, lighting, triangle setup/clipping, and rendering engines within a single-chip processor, marking a significant advancement in graphics technology.

What is the Use of a GPU?

The graphics processing unit (GPU) has evolved over the past few decades. Initially developed to accelerate real-time 3D graphics for gaming, GPUs are now used for:

Modern video games have grown increasingly complex, featuring hyperrealistic graphics and vast, intricate in-game worlds. Today's GPUs are essential for rendering both 2D and 3D graphics, delivering high-resolution visuals and smooth frame rates.

With advanced display technologies like 4K gaming monitors, high refresh rates, and the advent of virtual reality gaming, the demand for powerful GPUs is greater than ever. These GPUs enable gamers to enjoy more prosperous, more immersive experiences by supporting higher resolutions and faster frame rates.

In the past, long rendering times could hinder the creative process by monopolizing computing resources. Now, GPUs make rendering high-definition video and graphics faster and easier. With built-in AI capabilities and advanced acceleration, tasks like video editing, graphic design, and 3D modeling are completed more efficiently.

GPUs can perform many calculations simultaneously, making them ideal for parallel processing tasks, such as image recognition and deep learning.

Modern deep learning technologies often leverage the combined power of GPUs and CPUs to accelerate training and inference processes, facilitating significant advancements in AI development.

Types of GPUs

GPUs are classified into two main types as follows:

They are embedded alongside the CPU and share the same chip. They are typically found in laptops, tablets, and budget-friendly desktop computers. While integrated GPUs are sufficient for everyday tasks and casual gaming, they lack the power needed for more demanding applications.

They are separate chips mounted on their own circuit boards, usually attached to a PCI Express slot on the motherboard. These GPUs offer superior performance and are commonly used in high-end gaming systems, professional workstations, and servers. Their dedicated memory and processing power make them ideal for handling intensive graphical workloads and complex computational tasks.

What is the CPU vs GPU?

The CPU (the computer's brain) is designed to perform a wide variety of tasks. It excels at handling tasks where latency and per-core performance are critical. With a focus on executing individual tasks quickly, the CPU typically has fewer cores than a GPU, but each core is highly powerful; this makes it ideal for:

Managing numerous, often simultaneous, small tasks efficiently.

Performing sequential operations where each step depends on the previous one.

Handling complex queries and transactions that require rapid data processing.

The GPU was initially created as a specialized ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) for accelerating 3D rendering tasks. Over time, GPUs have evolved into more programmable and flexible components, becoming essential for graphics, gaming, and parallel processing.

A GPU supports the CPU in performing concurrent calculations. It can complete simple and repetitive tasks much faster because it can break the task down into smaller components and finish them in parallel.

GPUs have more cores than CPUs, but each core is less powerful than a CPU core.

Conclusion

The graphics processing unit (GPU) is a critical component in modern technology. Its powerful graphics capabilities transform digital experiences, and as we advance, GPUs will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping our digital interactions.