What is a GPU?: Everything You Need to Know
Ever wondered what was being responsible for the visuals, graphics and images of your computer? Well, it is the GPU. This article explains what GPU is and every other thing you need to know.
Read more to know all about the GPU and its comparison to the CPU
What Is A GPU?
The GPU is short for Graphics Processing Unit. It is a microchip that enables graphics and images by using ultra-speed calculations. They are responsible for 2D and 3D imaging as well as animations and video. It can be used by professionals and even just regular users of computers.
In earlier models of computers, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) was responsible for these mathematical calculations i.e., the CPU functioned as the GPU.
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The development of more complex graphics brought about a demand in increased performance. This led to the creation of GPU, as a way to lift the burden of those tasks on the CPU and improve the scope of 3D graphics.
Developers also began using GPUs as a way to accelerate workloads in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI).
GPUs work by using a process called “Parallel Processing”. This is where multiple processors specialize on different parts of a whole task. GPUs are well known in PC (personal computer) gaming, allowing for smooth, high-quality graphics rendering.
The Different Types Of GPUs
Graphics cards are typically big, bulky drop-in components for desktop PCs that have one, two, or sometimes, three fans. These cards contain the actual graphics processor chip, as well as RAM to handle higher graphics loads, like video games. Fans keep the components cool.
There are two major kinds of GPUs in today’s modern PC. They are Integrated and Discrete.
Note: “Discrete” doesn’t mean that it is hidden, it simply means that it is separate or distinct
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Integrated Graphics
These are built directly into the processor. Modern processors with integrated graphics can be surprisingly powerful. Some are capable of running select older AAA titles at playable frame rates when the graphics settings are lowered.
They are quite cheap for those who can’t yet afford the other expensive ones. If you are looking into serious gaming, however, you would need to step up your game.
Discrete Graphics
These are quite common in laptops as they are relatively small. They aren’t easy to upgrade and they are smoldered on the motherboard.
Uses Of GPU
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Today, graphics chips are being adapted to a wider variety of tasks than originally designed for, partially because modern GPUs are more programmable than they were in the past.
Their uses include:
- GPUs can accelerate the rendering of real-time 2D and 3D graphics applications.
- For editing and creating videos. Video editors and graphic designers, for example, can use the parallel processing of a GPU to make the rendering of high-definition video and graphics faster.
- Video game graphics have become more intensive computationally, so in order to keep up with display technologies — like 4K and high refresh rates — emphasis has been put on high-performing GPUs
- GPUs can share the work of CPUs and train deep learning neural networks for AI applications. Each node in a neural network performs calculations as part of an analytical model.
- Interestingly, due to its very high capability of computing complex math, it is used to mine cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, dogecoin, Ethereum and the likes
- They accelerate machine learning. With the high-computational ability of a GPU, workloads such as image recognition can be improved.
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What a GPU Does
To understand what a GPU does, we would talk about video games. In video games, we see images of people, animals, objects, places, etc. Sometimes these images are detailed in a 3D format. All of these are made possible by the GPU.
Video games are complex undertakings that require a lot of mathematical calculations happening in parallel to display images on-screen. The CPU sends instructions to the GPU on how to create the images seen on the screen and then executes them. This process is known as Rendering or Graphics Pipeline.
A GPU is purpose-built to process graphics information including an image’s geometry, color, shading, and textures. Its RAM is also specialized to hold a large amount of information coming into the GPU and video data, known as the frame buffer, that’s headed to your screen.
How a GPU Works
1. Parallel Processing
Parallel processing is a process where various processors execute separate parts of a whole task. Having its own RAM, it stores data on the images processed. ever, it stores data on the images processed. Every pixel’s information is stored.
A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is connected to the RAM and will turn the image into an analog signal so the monitor can display it. Video RAM will typically operate at high speeds.
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2. Polygons
This is like the cell of 3D graphics. Everything you see in a video game is created from these polygons. Little shapes come together to form the graphics. These polygons are usually triangles but they can be other shapes too at times.
These basic shapes, in addition to other lines and points, are known as “primitives.” They’re built up to make recognizable objects, like a table, tree, or wizard holding a staff. The more polygons you use for an object, the more detailed your finished images can become.
Each object has its own set of coordinates to be set in a scene. If a human were drawing a picture of a dining room, for example, we’d use our own judgment as to where the table and chairs should be, or how close these objects should be to the wall.
A computer can’t make these judgment calls and requires coordinates for placement. That’s one reason why, sometimes, things will go very wrong in video games, and you’ll suddenly see an object in midair. Once it receives the information, the GPU immediately fires off to work based on where the visuals are susceptible to the camera.
For example, a shoot-out in a bar is going to be different if your playable character is standing on a table, observing the chaos and your playable character is crouched at the bar observing the scene.Again, there’s a lot of math going on to figure out viewing angles.
After a little more refinement, the images get the textures, shadows, color, and shading that make it all come to life.
All of the above actually happens in a matter of micro-milliseconds, this is why a separate unit is required in the first place.
Bottom Line
The main purpose of a GPU is to help your CPU process images. This graphics processing requires a lot of calculations that need to happen unimaginably fast and simultaneously. This primary objective is then shifted to the GPU.
Early advocates of Bitcoins even used tech filled with GPUs to help them process the complex math that is needed to mine cryptocurrency coins. CPUs lack these capabilities. If you used a CPU for graphics, it would never have the same quality when compared to using a GPU.
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