What is a GPU?
A GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is a specialized processor designed to accelerate the rendering of images, videos, and animations for display. Unlike a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which handles general computing tasks, a GPU is optimized for parallel processing — enabling it to perform thousands of small, simultaneous calculations. This makes GPUs essential for gaming, video editing, AI model training, and high-performance computing tasks.
Detailed Explanation:
Modern GPUs are used far beyond graphics rendering. They play a crucial role in machine learning, data analytics, cryptocurrency mining, and scientific simulations due to their ability to process vast amounts of data efficiently.
There are two main types of GPUs:
- Integrated GPUs, built into the CPU, share system memory and are suitable for basic graphics tasks.
- Dedicated GPUs, separate hardware units with their own memory, are ideal for demanding workloads like 3D rendering or AI computations.
GPUs are used globally across industries such as gaming, artificial intelligence, scientific research, and cloud computing. From data centers in the United States and Germany to AI startups in India, GPUs drive innovation in visual computing and deep learning applications across every region.
Refer to the different types of GPUs
Example:
NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel are the leading GPU manufacturers. For instance, NVIDIA’s RTX series and AMD’s Radeon series are popular choices among gamers and professionals worldwide.