GPUs & Their Uses
Computer Science: OCR A Level, topic 1.2.2
GPUs & Their Uses
A graphical processing unit (GPU) is now an essential feature in a gaming PC. They help display the output from your computer, but can be used for a whole lot more.
GPUs
- GPU stands for graphical processing unit.
- A GPU is designed and made for processing graphical output from your computer system.
- A GPU can be integrated into your computer’s motherboard
- A GPU can also be a dedicated graphics card that plugs into the motherboard.
CPUs vs GPUs
- A CPU processes tasks in a serial order (one after another).
- A GPU has lots of smaller cores that are very efficient at processing large amounts of visual data in smaller chunks simultaneously (in parallel).
Uses of GPUs
- A GPU is usually used to process the graphical information for a computer to output what the user is doing.
- A GPU is also very useful for mining blockchain cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
- They are also often used in supercomputers as a parallel processor where a lot of data needs to be processed simultaneously.
- These supercomputers could be for scientific use and engineering use.
Test yourself on GPUs & Their Uses
What does GPU stand for?
Why are CPUs less efficient at processing large amounts of data?