What Is A Graphics Processing Unit?

Date First Published: 3rd January 2024

Topic: Computer Systems

Subtopic: Computer Hardware

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty: Medium

Difficulty Level: 6/10

CONTENTS

Uses Of GPUs
Types Of GPUs
Difference Between A GPU, a CPU, and a Graphics Card
History

Learn about what a graphics processing unit is in this article.

A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a processor designed to render all graphics and images on the computer screen. The GPU is specifically designed to handle graphics workloads on devices such as smartphones and PCs.

GPUs use a process called parallel processing, where multiple processors handle separate parts of a single task. It also has its own RAM to store the data it is using. The GPU carries out the repetitive calculations, whilst the application continues to run on the CPU.

Uses Of GPUs

GPUs are used for both professional and personal computing. They are widely used in gaming, allowing for high-quality rendering of graphics. GPUs are often used for quickly rendering real-time 2D and 3D graphics applications, video editing and video content creation, video game graphics, and speeding up image recognition and facial recognition.

Types Of GPUs

Different types of GPUs include:

Integrated GPUs - Built into the motherboard or integrated with the CPU. A CPU with an integrated GPU allows for thinner and lighter systems and reduced power consumption. Most GPUs are integrated.
Discrete GPUs - Mounted on a separate circuit board. They are more suitable for resource-intensive applications and generate more heat than integrated GPUs. It will require dedicated cooling to reduce the heat.

Difference Between A GPU, a CPU, and a Graphics Card

Although GPUs and CPUs are both chip components constructed in a similar way, they are two different types of processors. CPUs process and respond to all the basic instructions and most of the computer's commands, whilst GPUs render high-resolution images and videos. CPUs also have a higher clock speed, meaning that they can perform individual calculations more quickly than a GPU, making them more suitable for handling basic computing tasks.

A GPU is not to be confused with a graphics card. A GPU is a specific unit within a graphics card that performs the image and graphics processing and the graphics card presents images to the screen.

History

In the early days of computing, PCs did not include GPUs. Instead, the CPU performed the calculations required for graphics tasks. As more graphics-intensive tasks were developed, there was a need for a separate processor to render graphics due to the strain on the CPU. Eventually, they have not just become an enhancement, a necessity for high performance of a PC. Since the GPU takes care of the calculations, the CPU is free to handle everything else that is not related to the graphics application.

NVIDIA introduced the first commercially available GPU for a desktop computer on 31st August 1999, called the GeForce 256. It was capable of processing 10 million polygons per second, allowing it to offload a great amount of graphics processing from the CPU. The success of the first GPU led to both software and hardware developers quickly adopting GPU support.