GPU and It’s Variation in 2022
What is GPU?
GPU is the graphics processing unit of a smart device. This unit does things that CPU is not able to. In simple words, every application made of various codes, these codes contain some parts that requires GPU power to execute which is not executable from CPU. This makes GPU as a special part that helps CPU in times of mandatory need. GPU is a specialized part to do a certain stuff in a very well manner. This specialized work for GPU is rendering graphics. Graphics rendering works smoothly with high end GPU because of the ability to process the similar mathematical queries in coding.
Difference between CPU and GPU?
In a computer, you may think that these two stuffs are made with same materials and have a cooling system for them. But how does they differ, the difference starts off with the fundamental architecture of these two processing units. Whilst CPU has many cores to do all the multi-tasking and other computational works in serial way, GPU is working in a parallel method with hundreds of cores to do their specialized graphics rendering task.
GPU’s are not comparable with CPU. As these are two different hardware that is created to do two different activities. Think about a computer or any smart device with only a GPU? No, there is no such thing. But there are millions of devices without a proper GPU (These devices have an integrated GPU for small graphic processing). So, we can take the CPU as a brain and one of the kidneys as a GPU. The body will still send the waste out from the body but not as how it works with two kidneys.
What is exactly on-board VGA and how it differs from dedicated VGA?
On board VGA memory is derived from a computer’s CPU and Ram. These components are not specially made for the purpose of GPU, but they share their resources to support computers to run basic stuff without a dedicated GPU. As the primary CPU provider intel, their shared graphics memory is very low, and the processing of graphical stuff is also very disturbing when compared to AMD CPU based computers.
So, on board VGA is powerful in AMD based computers but not even comparable to dedicated GPU. Because dedicated GPU is a system (it can be called as a system because it has a CPU, Some sort of ram, and cooling peripherals). These dedicated GPU’s are specialized for the purpose of rendering. As it is made for some specified purpose, they don’t get support from the computer’s resources.
Dedicated GPU in the laptops and dedicated GPU in the personal computers will not offer the same experience in almost all cases. Because of the size of processor and the size of cooling system that is used in dedicated GPU for pc cannot be fit for the laptops as the trend is always to minimize the width of laptops as year passes. This is the exact reason that same GPU in two different devices does not provide same experience and there are other factors such as computers resources also effect in the experience of using same GPU in different devices.
How workstation GPU differs from gaming GPU
Have you ever wondered why there must be a workstation GPU whilst people are doing all sort od rendering, video editing and playing games with power GPU’s available in the market? These workstation GPU’s are designed in a manner to avoid any crashes and errors as they are used in very sensitive industries. Creating a new plane, weather forecasting, engineering models and which need high details with accurate calculations.
Workstation GPU offers higher VRAM with double precision floating point capability and ECC memory. All the drivers that are provided with the workstation GPU is tested and by the NVIDIA and AMD (Workstation GPU manufacturers) to work with high end engineering software’s and image processing. These cards will power more than new architect gaming GPU with more stability and high power.
These cards are very high in price. These cards will not be available in Asus, PNY, Acer and other brand names as gaming GPU’s. These are only released with the manufactures name and does not belong to any sub brands.
As a conclusion, Workstation GPU’s are not for day to day life for individuals. They are made for large scale companies with sensitive calculations and processing. As a good news, NVidia also now offers two types of drivers for gaming GPU which can be used for other purposes than gaming and video editing without any crashes.
I’m Ansak Mahir from Sri Lanka. Technology enthusiast from a young age. Currently an undergraduate of BSC in Software Engineering (Kingston UK) and BSC (hons) in Information Technology & Management (University of Moratuwa). I love blogging and spreading the knowledge in a unique perspective. I’m also a reputed freelancer for web design and development
