By contrast, GPUs break complex problems into thousands or millions of separate tasks and work them out at once. That makes them ideal for graphics, where textures, lighting and the rendering of shapes have to be done at once to keep images flying across the screen. Architecturally, the CPU is composed of just a few cores with lots of cache memory that can handle a few software threads at a time.
In contrast, a GPU is composed of hundreds of cores that can handle thousands of threads simultaneously. GPUs deliver the once-esoteric technology of parallel computing. But rather than taking the shape of hulking supercomputers, GPUs put this idea to work in the desktops and gaming consoles of more than a billion gamers.
That application — computer graphics — was just the first of several killer apps. All this enables GPUs to race ahead of more specialized, fixed-function chips serving niche markets.
Another factor making all that power accessible: CUDA. First released in , the parallel computing platform lets coders take advantage of the computing power of GPUs for general purpose processing by inserting a few simple commands into their code. And with support for a fast-growing number of standards — such as Kubernetes and Dockers — applications can be tested on a low-cost desktop GPU and scaled out to faster, more sophisticated server GPUs as well as every major cloud service provider.
That law, however, has run up against hard physical limits. Company Profiles. Tech Stocks. Blockchain Technology. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Investopedia. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Your Money. Personal Finance. Your Practice. Popular Courses. Table of Contents Expand. What Is a Graphics Processing Unit? How a GPU Works. History of the GPU. Special Considerations. GPUs and Cryptocurrency Mining. Examples of GPU Companies. Key Takeaways The term graphics processing unit GPU refers to a chip or electronic circuit capable of rendering graphics for display on an electronic device.
Although GPUs were initially popular with video editing and computer gaming enthusiasts, the rapid growth of cryptocurrencies has created a new market for them. GPUs, first introduced to the wider market in , are perhaps best known for their use in providing the smooth graphics that consumers expect in modern videos and video games.
There has been a shortage of GPUs recently thanks to their application in the mining of cryptocurrencies. Article Sources. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate.
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This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. This allowed graphics programmers to create more interesting visual effects and realistic scenes with advanced lighting and shadowing techniques. Other developers also began to tap the power of GPUs to dramatically accelerate additional workloads in high performance computing HPC , deep learning, and more. While CPUs have continued to deliver performance increases through architectural innovations, faster clock speeds, and the addition of cores, GPUs are specifically designed to accelerate computer graphics workloads.
When shopping for a system, it can be helpful to know the role of the CPU vs. GPU so you can make the most of both. While the terms GPU and graphics card or video card are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle distinction between these terms.
This board also includes the raft of components required to both allow the GPU to function and connect to the rest of the system. GPUs come in two basic types: integrated and discrete. The majority of GPUs on the market are actually integrated graphics.
So, what are integrated graphics and how does it work in your computer? A CPU that comes with a fully integrated GPU on its motherboard allows for thinner and lighter systems, reduced power consumption, and lower system costs. Many computing applications can run well with integrated GPUs. However, for more resource-intensive applications with extensive performance demands, a discrete GPU sometimes called a dedicated graphics card is better suited to the job.
These GPUs add processing power at the cost of additional energy consumption and heat creation. Discrete GPUs generally require dedicated cooling for maximum performance. Two decades ago, GPUs were used primarily to accelerate real-time 3D graphics applications, such as games.
This realization gave rise to the general purpose GPU era. Now, graphics technology is applied more extensively to an increasingly wide set of problems. Video games have become more computationally intensive, with hyperrealistic graphics and vast, complicated in-game worlds. With advanced display technologies, such as 4K screens and high refresh rates, along with the rise of virtual reality gaming, demands on graphics processing are growing fast. GPUs are capable of rendering graphics in both 2D and 3D.
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