GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit. It is a specialized electronic circuitry component within a computer system that is designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer which can be displayed on a screen. The main purpose of a GPU is to render and display visual data such as graphics, images, and videos. GPUs are primarily essential for gaming, video editing, CAD applications, scientific simulations, and numerous other visually demanding tasks.
The GPU is distinct from the Central Processing Unit (CPU) as it is specifically optimized for parallel processing and performing complex mathematical and geometric calculations required for real-time graphics rendering. With a high number of cores and specialized architecture, the GPU offloads graphics-related computations from the CPU, increasing the overall performance and speeding up the rendering process. Modern GPUs also have built-in support for technologies like shading, texturing, lighting, and other sophisticated rendering techniques.
In addition to graphical applications, GPUs are increasingly being used for general-purpose computing tasks that involve complex calculations, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. By leveraging the parallel processing power of GPUs, these tasks can be performed more efficiently and quickly compared to traditional CPU-based computations.
Overall, a GPU is a dedicated hardware component that greatly assists in processing and displaying visual data, providing enhanced graphics performance, realistic visuals, and an immersive user experience.
