# graphics processing unit

> specialized electronic circuit; graphics accelerator

**Wikidata**: [Q183484](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q183484)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_processing_unit)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/graphics-processing-unit

## Summary
A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic circuit designed to accelerate the creation and rendering of images, videos, and animations for output to a display screen. Functioning as a graphics accelerator, it is a type of coprocessor that works in conjunction with a computer's main processor. GPUs can be found as the central component of a discrete graphics card or as an integrated part of a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

## Key Facts
- **Primary Function:** Acts as a graphics accelerator.
- **Aliases:** Commonly known as a GPU, VPU (visual processing unit), graphics chip, or video unit.
- **Classification:** It is a subclass of both coprocessors and vector processors, which are designed to work on arrays of numbers simultaneously.
- **Form Factors:** Exists as a key component on a discrete graphics card or as an integrated graphics processor (IGP) within a system-on-a-chip (SoC).
- **Internal Components:** A GPU typically includes parts such as shader pipelines, texture mapping units, and various levels of cache (e.g., L2 cache).
- **Major Brands:** Prominent brands include NVIDIA's GeForce (introduced in 1999), AMD's Radeon (introduced in 2000), and ARM's Mali series.
- **Distinction:** A GPU is a component of a graphics card; it is not the graphics card itself.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the difference between a GPU and a graphics card?
A: A GPU is the specialized processor chip that performs graphics calculations. A graphics card is the complete expansion card that houses the GPU, as well as other necessary components like video memory (VRAM), cooling systems, and output ports. The GPU is the "brain" of the graphics card.

### Q: Where are GPUs found?
A: GPUs are found in two primary forms. They are the central component on dedicated (or discrete) graphics cards used in PCs, and they are also commonly integrated directly into a system-on-a-chip (SoC) alongside the main CPU. These SoCs are used in a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles like the PlayStation 4.

### Q: What does a GPU do?
A: A GPU is a specialized processor that accelerates the generation of images for a display. As a type of vector processor, it is highly efficient at performing the parallel calculations needed for 2D and 3D graphics, offloading these intensive tasks from the main CPU to improve overall system performance.

## Why It Matters
The graphics processing unit is significant because it enables the rich, high-resolution visual experiences that define modern computing. By offloading complex and parallelizable graphics computations from the central processing unit (CPU), the GPU allows for smooth video playback, realistic 3D rendering in video games, and responsive graphical user interfaces. Its architecture, optimized for handling massive amounts of data in parallel as a vector processor, has proven to be highly effective for tasks beyond graphics. This has led to the rise of General-Purpose computing on GPUs (GPGPU), where the GPU's power is harnessed for scientific simulation, data analysis, and other computationally intensive fields. From high-end gaming PCs to the smartphone in your pocket, the GPU is a fundamental component that powers our visual interaction with technology.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Architecture:** Unlike a general-purpose CPU, a GPU is a specialized circuit designed specifically to accelerate graphics rendering.
- **Parallel Processing:** As a vector processor, it is architected to perform many calculations on arrays of data simultaneously, making it exceptionally efficient for the repetitive tasks common in graphics rendering.
- **Versatile Integration:** GPUs are implemented in various forms, from powerful, discrete chips on dedicated graphics cards to power-efficient cores integrated into SoCs for mobile devices and game consoles like the PlayStation 4.
- **Key Component in SoCs:** The GPU is a critical part of modern systems-on-a-chip, sharing silicon space with the CPU in devices like the Allwinner A20, HiSilicon Kirin 980, and MediaTek MT6580.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic circuit that functions as a graphics accelerator. It is classified as a type of **coprocessor**, meaning it is a supplementary processor that operates under the control of a main processor (CPU). It is also a **vector processor**, which is a processor designed to efficiently perform operations on large arrays of data (vectors) at the same time. Its common aliases include GPU, VPU (visual processing unit), and graphics chip.

### Forms and Implementations
GPUs are found in two main configurations:
*   **Discrete GPUs:** These are standalone chips that are the central component of a **graphics card**, which is an expansion card plugged into a computer's motherboard.
*   **Integrated GPUs (IGPs):** These are integrated into another major component, most often as part of a **system-on-a-chip (SoC)**. This is common in mobile devices and game consoles. Examples of SoCs containing a GPU include:
    *   PlayStation 4 APU and PlayStation 4 Pro APU
    *   Allwinner A20 (Mali-400 GPU)
    *   HiSilicon Kirin series (e.g., Kirin 980, Kirin 710)
    *   MediaTek series (e.g., MT6580, MT6750)
    *   Snapdragon 480 Plus 5G

### Internal Structure
A GPU is composed of several key functional units designed to process graphics data efficiently. According to a generic block diagram, these parts include:
*   Shader Pipeline
*   Texture Mapping Unit
*   Texture Cache
*   L2 Cache / Shared L2 Cache

### Major Brands and Series
Several companies design and produce GPUs and GPU architectures. Notable brands and series mentioned in the source material include:
*   **NVIDIA GeForce:** A brand of GPUs introduced in 1999.
*   **AMD Radeon:** A brand of GPUs introduced in 2000.
*   **ARM Mali:** A family of GPU cores, including the Mali-400 MP.
*   **Qualcomm Adreno:** A series of GPUs.
*   **Intel:** Produced the Intel740 and the Intel GMA series.
*   **ATI Technologies:** Designed the Xenos chip for the Xbox 360 and the Hollywood chip for the Nintendo Wii.

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet
3. Quora
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
5. KBpedia
6. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)