Graphics processing unit

Nvidia GeForce 3 GPU (introduced in 2001)

A graphics processing unit (GPU) is the processor on a graphics card. It makes images, animations, graphics and then displays them on the computer’s screen. A strong GPU is able to process complex animations and graphics smoothly and efficiently. Images which GPUs make may be 2D or 3D. For most applications, the GPU has to make two dimensional (2D) pictures. Some applications use 3D pictures to simulate three-dimensionality.

Origin

The first graphics processors were used in the 1970s in arcade machines. Graphics processors were not used for consumer products until the 1980s because they were too expensive to make.

During the mid 1990s, graphics processors became common in arcade games, computer games and console games. The first GPU for personal computers was the Nvidia GeForce 256, released in 1999. It could calculate geometric objects in space and some lighting effects.

Modern Uses

Nowadays, GPUs are always in personal computers, mobile telephones and video game systems. Most CPUs come with an internal GPU built-in. Those internal GPUs can make the visual effects of modern graphical user interfaces such as shadows, semi-transparent backgrounds and animations. However, for newer video games a more powerful additional dedicated GPU is usually needed.

Other devices such as virtual reality headsets and driverless cars also use GPUs. The tasks a GPU can do include technical calculations, Artificial Intelligence problem solving, photo editing and other applications.

History of Multi-GPU systems

The first attempts in Multi-GPU Systems were done by now defunct company 3Dfx in the late 1990s, which was bought by Nvidia later. Their Voodoo video cards, which were 3D only accelerators, could be hooked up to a second Voodoo video card to gain more performance. This was called SLi. Theoretically the performance would double, practically it increased far less, depending on the video game. Later, 3Dfx built even four GPUs on one unreleased video card.

Graphics Processing Unit Media

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  Generic block diagram of a GPU as found on modern graphics cards. The Wikipedia contains separate articles to many of the depicted components and used communication protocols.BIF: ISA (Industry Standard Architecture),

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  Atari ANTIC microprocessor on an Atari 130XE motherboard

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  NEC µPD7220 Graphics Display Controller (GDC)

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  The IBM 8514 Micro Channel adapter, with memory add-on

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  VGA section on the motherboard in IBM PS/55

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  Tseng Labs ET4000/W32p

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  S3 Graphics ViRGE

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  A en:3dfx en:Voodoo3 2000 AGP. Scanned by me.

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  The ATI HD5470 GPU (above, with copper heatpipe attached) features UVD 2.1 which enables it to decode AVC and VC-1 video formats.

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  Block diagram of a late-2000s motherboard (legend in English).