- On the Motherboard Overview
- Processor Overview
- Processor Basics
- Speeding Up Processor Operations Overview
- Cache
- Clocking
- Threading Technology
- Connecting to the Processor
- Multi-Core Processors
- Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
- Virtualization
- Intel Processors
- CPU Sockets
- AMD Processors
- Processor Cooling
- Installing a Processor
- Upgrading Processors
- Overclocking Processors
- Installing CPU Thermal Solutions
- Troubleshooting Processor Issues
- Expansion Slots
- PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)
- AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)
- PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)
- Chipsets
- Types of Motherboards
- Upgrading and Replacing Motherboards
- Motherboard Troubleshooting
- Soft Skills-Active Listening
- Chapter Summary
- Key Terms
- Review Questions
- Exercises
- Activities
- Labs
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
Another bottleneck for computer performance is video. Computer users who want better video performance buy a separate video adapter that contains a GPU. Both Intel and AMD have a graphics processing unit (GPU) within the CPU on some of their processor models. With an integrated GPU (iGPU), sometimes called an integrated graphics processor (IGP), an external video card with a GPU is not required, and graphical data is processed quickly, with reduced power consumption. Today’s CPUs contain multiple core processors, whereas GPUs contain hundreds of smaller core processors. GPUs can also be used for other purposes that are not directly related to graphics that increase system performance. These GPUs are sometimes referred to as a general-purpose GPU (GPGPU).
A computer system can also have multiple GPUs. AMD provides information about the number of “compute cores.” For example, an AMD system that has four CPUs and two GPUs would have six compute cores. Figure 3.14 shows how an IGP is within the same housing as the CPU cores.
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Figure 3.14 CPU vs. GPU
Integrated GPUs can either share part of the motherboard RAM with the rest of the system or have a separate block of memory dedicated for video. Integrated GPUs can have their own cache memory or share with the CPU. IGPs can be part of the chipset or be included as part of the CPU housing (on-die). AMD calls its processors that have a GPU integrated with the CPU an accelerated processing unit (APU). Intel calls its integrated GPU Intel HD Graphics and Intel Iris Graphics.