Introduction to the basics of GPU

GPU, the full name of which is Graphics Processing Unit, is an electronic circuit specially designed to accelerate image and video processing. With the development of technology, GPU is not only used for graphics rendering, but also widely used in artificial intelligence, machine learning, scientific computing and other fields.

What is GPU

GPU was originally designed to solve the problem of graphics rendering. It can help computers process tasks such as images, videos and 3D animations faster. Today, the functions of GPU have been extended to various types of parallel computing, such as artificial intelligence model training, big data analysis and blockchain mining.

The difference between GPU and CPU

CPU is a central processing unit, which is good at performing various operating system tasks and logical operations, and handles serial tasks. GPU has a large number of cores and can handle hundreds or thousands of computing tasks at the same time, which is more suitable for intensive tasks such as image rendering and parallel computing.

Simply put, CPU is like a versatile but slow craftsman, while GPU is like a team with strong execution ability, which can quickly complete a large number of repetitive tasks.

Types of GPUs

Based on the structure and usage scenarios, GPUs can be roughly divided into the following categories:

1. Integrated GPU

This GPU is integrated into the processor or motherboard, with moderate performance, suitable for daily office work, HD video playback and other light tasks.

2. Independent GPU

Also called independent graphics card, installed in the PCIe slot on the motherboard, with independent video memory and powerful computing power, suitable for games, 3D modeling, video editing, artificial intelligence and other scenarios.

3. External GPU

That is, eGPU, which is an external GPU device through a high-speed interface (such as Thunderbolt), often used to improve the graphics performance of laptops.

Mainstream GPU manufacturers

Currently, the main GPU manufacturers include:

NVIDIA: Products include GeForce series (for games), Quadro series (professional graphics workstations), and Tesla and A100 for artificial intelligence.

AMD: It has Radeon series graphics cards and Radeon Pro series for professional graphics.

Intel: Mainly produces integrated GPUs, and also launched the ARC series of independent graphics.

Main application areas of GPU

1. Games: GPU provides high frame rate, realistic images and light and shadow effects for modern games.

2. Artificial intelligence: used for training and reasoning of neural networks, which can significantly improve computing efficiency.

3. 3D modeling and rendering: widely used in movies, architecture, industrial design and other fields.

4. Cryptocurrency: use GPU to efficiently solve algorithm problems for mining.

5. Video editing and production: improve the speed of rendering, transcoding, encoding and other operations.

Main parameters of GPU

When purchasing a GPU, users can pay attention to the following important parameters:

Number of cores: The more cores, the stronger the parallel computing capability.

Video memory size: Video memory capacity affects the graphics loading speed and supported resolution.

Main frequency: The higher the main frequency, the faster the computing speed, but it also means that the power consumption and heat generation may be greater.

Power consumption and heat dissipation: You need to choose a suitable graphics card according to the computer power supply and chassis space.

Ray tracing function: Some high-end graphics cards support hardware-level ray tracing technology, which can enhance the realism of the picture.

Daily maintenance of GPU

To maintain the performance and life of GPU, you need to pay attention to the following points:

Update the graphics card driver regularly.

Clean the graphics card radiator and fan to prevent dust accumulation.

Ensure that the chassis is well ventilated to prevent overheating.

Use temperature monitoring tools to monitor the status of the graphics card.

Summary

GPU is not only an important tool for game enthusiasts, but also one of the important engines of modern computing. From graphics rendering to artificial intelligence, from video editing to scientific research, GPU plays an increasingly wide role. Understanding its basic knowledge can help you better choose the right graphics card equipment to meet different work or study needs.