What is a GPU?

A GPU, short for Graphics Processing Unit, is a specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display. Originally, GPUs were only used to render images for computer graphics, but their capabilities have expanded significantly over the years.

Functionality

GPUs are essential components in modern computers and electronic devices. They are primarily used for rendering images, videos, and animations with high efficiency. GPUs are also instrumental in accelerating various compute-intensive tasks, such as machine learning, scientific simulations, cryptocurrency mining, and video editing.

Architecture

Unlike a CPU, which is designed for general-purpose tasks, a GPU is optimized for performing parallel computations. It consists of thousands of smaller processing cores that work together to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. This parallel architecture allows GPUs to process large amounts of data in a fraction of the time it would take a CPU.

Usage

GPUs are commonly found in graphics cards for gaming PCs, workstations, and servers. They are also integrated into mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to enhance their graphical capabilities. With the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications, GPUs have become indispensable for running complex algorithms efficiently.