GPU
Graphics Processing Units, a class of AI chip that is the essential hardware accelerator for training and running large-scale AI models.
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7/26/2025, 7:10:44 AM
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Summary
A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic circuit primarily designed to accelerate computer graphics and digital image processing. Initially conceived as a coprocessor for rendering images and videos, GPUs are found in various devices from mobile phones and personal computers to workstations and game consoles, either as discrete components or integrated into motherboards. Due to their parallel processing architecture, GPUs proved highly effective for non-graphic, data-intensive calculations, leading to their widespread adoption in fields like artificial intelligence (AI) for training neural networks, machine learning, and cryptocurrency mining. Companies such as AMD, led by Lisa Su, and Nvidia, led by Jensen Huang, are key players in the GPU market, driving innovation with products like Nvidia's Hopper GPU and CUDA software platform, which are foundational to the American tech stack. The escalating energy consumption required for AI, heavily reliant on GPUs, is identified as a significant bottleneck, necessitating substantial new energy investments.
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Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Type
Specialized electronic circuit
Impact on AI
Serves as the workhorse of modern AI, enabling the training and deployment of complex AI models and accelerating model iteration
Design Principle
Parallel processing, performs mathematical calculations at high speed by applying the same operation on multiple data values simultaneously
Primary Function
Accelerate computer graphics and digital image processing, including 3D graphics rendering and video rendering
Energy Consumption
Escalating energy consumption for AI is a primary bottleneck, requiring massive new energy investments
Integration Methods
Can be a discrete component on a graphics card, embedded on motherboards, integrated with the CPU, or part of an all-in-one chip
Physical Composition
Built upon a silicon wafer with billions of microscopic transistors and a complex network of interconnecting metal wires
Performance Advantage
Can yield several orders of magnitude higher performance than a conventional CPU for massive vector operations
Specific Models/Platforms
Nvidia Hopper GPU, CUDA software platform
Key Non-Graphic Applications
Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, training neural networks, cryptocurrency mining, scientific computing, high performance computing (HPC), deep learning, video editing, gaming (beyond graphics rendering), creative production
Key Components (on graphics card)
Video RAM (VRAM), ports (e.g., HDMI, DisplayPort), cooling component
Timeline
- The term "GPU" originally stood for "graphics processor unit" and described a programmable processing unit working independently from the CPU for graphics manipulation and output. (Source: Web Search Results (Wikipedia snippet))
1970s
- Sony used the term "GPU" (now standing for "graphics processing unit") in reference to the PlayStation console's Toshiba-designed GPU. (Source: Web Search Results (Wikipedia snippet))
1994
- Nvidia popularized the term "GPU" by marketing the GeForce 256 as "the GPU". (Source: Web Search Results (Wikipedia snippet))
1999
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaGraphics processing unit
A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic circuit designed for digital image processing and to accelerate computer graphics, being present either as a component on a discrete graphics card or embedded on motherboards, mobile phones, personal computers, workstations, and game consoles. GPUs were later found to be useful for non-graphic calculations involving embarrassingly parallel problems due to their parallel structure. The ability of GPUs to rapidly perform vast numbers of calculations has led to their adoption in diverse fields including artificial intelligence (AI) where they excel at handling data-intensive and computationally demanding tasks. Other non-graphical uses include the training of neural networks and cryptocurrency mining.
Web Search Results
- Graphics processing unit - Wikipedia
A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic circuit designed for digital image processing and to accelerate computer graphics, being present either as a discrete video card or embedded on motherboards, mobile phones, personal computers, workstations, and game consoles. GPUs were later found to be useful for non-graphic calculations involving embarrassingly parallel problems due to their parallel structure. The ability of GPUs to rapidly perform vast numbers of calculations has [...] In the 1970s, the term "GPU" originally stood for graphics processor unit and described a programmable processing unit working independently from the CPU that was responsible for graphics manipulation and output. In 1994, Sony used the term (now standing for graphics processing unit) in reference to the PlayStation "PlayStation (console)") console's Toshiba-designed Sony GPU "PlayStation technical specifications"). The term was popularized by Nvidia in 1999, who marketed the GeForce 256 as "the [...] It is common to use a general purpose graphics processing unit (GPGPU) as a modified form of stream processor (or a vector processor), running compute kernels. This turns the massive computational power of a modern graphics accelerator's shader pipeline into general-purpose computing power. In certain applications requiring massive vector operations, this can yield several orders of magnitude higher performance than a conventional CPU. The two largest discrete (see "Dedicated graphics
- What is a GPU & Its Importance for AI | Google Cloud
A GPU, short for Graphics Processing Unit, is a specialized electronic circuit originally designed to speed up the creation of images and videos. However, its remarkable ability to perform vast numbers of calculations rapidly has led to its adoption in diverse fields, including artificial intelligence and scientific computing, where it excels at handling data-intensive and computationally demanding tasks. [...] GPUs are built upon a silicon wafer, a thin, circular slice of highly purified silicon. This wafer serves as the base upon which billions of microscopic transistors are etched. These transistors act as miniature gates controlling the flow of electricity, forming the building blocks of the GPU's logic circuits. A complex network of microscopic metal wires, called interconnects, link these transistors, enabling them to communicate and perform calculations. Finally, the entire assembly is encased [...] GPUs have become the workhorse of modern artificial intelligence, enabling the training and deployment of complex AI models that power everything from image recognition to natural language processing. Their ability to perform massive numbers of calculations simultaneously makes them well-suited for the computationally demanding tasks at the heart of AI. GPUs accelerate the training of AI models, enabling researchers and developers to iterate on models more quickly and unlock breakthroughs in AI
- What is a GPU? - Graphics Processing Unit Explained - AWS
# What is a GPU? ## What is a GPU? A graphics processing unit (GPU) is an electronic circuit that can perform mathematical calculations at high speed. Computing tasks like graphics rendering, machine learning (ML), and video editing require the application of similar mathematical operations on a large dataset. A GPU’s design allows it to perform the same operation on multiple data values in parallel. This increases its processing efficiency for many compute-intensive tasks. [...] The GPU is the main component on graphics cards. It exists alongside other components like video RAM (VRAM) for video memory, ports (such as HDMI or DisplayPort), and a cooling component. However, a GPU can also be built directly into the motherboard or integrated as an all-in-one chip together with other components. ## How can AWS help with your GPU requirements? Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), the broadest and deepest compute platform.
- Types of GPU: Complete Guide to Graphics Card Types - Cantech
Introduction to GPUs -------------------- Now let me begin with what can be said to be the core or root. A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a sharply focused coprocessor introduced to boost the illustration of pictures and films. GPI, which have gradually extended from mere display graphics co-processors, are now potent chips suitable for a lot of computational tasks, such as gaming, video processing, and artificial intelligence-related computations among others. [...] GPUs were initially developed as a separate chip to handle the graphics rendering for computers and provide an improved way for computers to generate imagery. It was especially true for gaming and multimedia uses primarily because higher image quality was becoming a necessity. In the past, GPUs were simple but as the technology evolved computers became far more complicated being able to handle a variety of functions. [...] The terms “GPU” and “graphics card” are often used interchangeably, but there’s a subtle difference. A GPU is the main component on a graphics card, which is an add-in board that plugs into a computer’s motherboard. Shop Dedicated GPU Servers _➜_Contact us gpu types Types of GPU types of graphics card Image 6 About the Author
- What Is a GPU? Graphics Processing Units Defined - Intel
The graphics processing unit, or GPU, has become one of the most important types of computing technology, both for personal and business computing. Designed for parallel processing, the GPU is used in a wide range of applications, including graphics and video rendering. Although they’re best known for their capabilities in gaming, GPUs are becoming more popular for use in creative production and artificial intelligence (AI). [...] GPUs can process many pieces of data simultaneously, making them useful for machine learning, video editing, and gaming applications. GPUs may be integrated into the computer’s CPU or offered as a discrete hardware unit. Image 2: author-image By Graphics processing technology has evolved to deliver unique benefits in the world of computing. The latest graphics processing units (GPUs) unlock new possibilities in gaming, content creation, machine learning, and more. [...] GPUs were originally designed to accelerate the rendering of 3D graphics. Over time, they became more flexible and programmable, enhancing their capabilities. This allowed graphics programmers to create more interesting visual effects and realistic scenes with advanced lighting and shadowing techniques. Other developers also began to tap the power of GPUs to dramatically accelerate additional workloads in high performance computing (HPC), deep learning, and more.
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GPU, Oregon, Lucas County, Ohio, United States
Coordinates: 41.6331183, -83.5020483
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