Graphics processing unit
A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic circuit initially designed to accelerate computer graphics and image processing (either on a video card or embedded on motherboards, mobile phones, personal computers, workstations, and game consoles). After their initial design, GPUs were found to be useful for non-graphic calculations involving embarrassingly parallel problems due to their parallel structure. Other non-graphical uses include the training of neural networks and cryptocurrency mining.
"GPU" redirects here. For other uses, see GPU (disambiguation).GPU companies[edit]
Many companies have produced GPUs under a number of brand names. In 2009, Intel, Nvidia, and AMD/ATI were the market share leaders, with 49.4%, 27.8%, and 20.6% market share respectively. In addition, Matrox[61] produces GPUs. Modern smartphones use mostly Adreno GPUs from Qualcomm, PowerVR GPUs from Imagination Technologies, and Mali GPUs from ARM.
GPU forms[edit]
Terminology[edit]
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.[64][65] In 1994, Sony used the term (now standing for graphics processing unit) in reference to the PlayStation console's Toshiba-designed Sony GPU.[31] The term was popularized by Nvidia in 1999, who marketed the GeForce 256 as "the world's first GPU".[66] It was presented as a "single-chip processor with integrated transform, lighting, triangle setup/clipping, and rendering engines".[67] Rival ATI Technologies coined the term "visual processing unit" or VPU with the release of the Radeon 9700 in 2002.[68] The AMD Alveo MA35D features dual VPU’s, each using the 5 nm process in 2023.[69]
In personal computers, there are two main forms of GPUs. Each has many synonyms:[70]