Computers are a wonderful technology that can change our lives in many ways, but let’s be honest, they are made up of internal components whose technical characteristics are not easy to understand and interpret.
A combination of acronyms, numbers and other assorted jargon makes things a little difficult to understand, but this is where we present ourselves. From PCWorld, we’re going to help you understand the main components of a PC or laptop.
Here’s what a GPU is, what it’s used for, and some of the questions people have about next-gen GPUs. For more information on the other components, see the article on What Equipment to my PC: How to know the graphics, the CPU and the RAM.
What does GPU mean?
GPU comes from the acronym for Graphics Processing Unit, the component responsible for powering graphics in a PC, and component maker Nvidia coined the term “GPU” in the 1990s.
Nowadays, it is strange to refer to the GPU by its full name instead of the acronym. After all, it is much faster to say and write. Manufacturing CPU + GPU chips on the same silicon wafer has allowed it to consolidate its most important role.
Integrated or discrete GPU
Most modern processors come with a built-in GPU, also called an integrated. Traditionally, integrated GPUs are used to display Windows on a connected screen and are sufficient for playing videos, displaying images, and viewing web pages.
However, the most basic models are not up to the task of promoting software with more demanding graphics, such as playing games or being able to run programs associated with video and photo editing.
However, this is not the case with more modern integrated graphics, as Intel’s integrated UHD GPUs deliver decent graphics performance without the need for a large and bulky graphics card, helping to maintain performance even on computers. lightweight laptops. .
The next-gen GPU that is part of the 11th-gen Intel Core processors is capable of 1080p resolutions at 60 fps in average Rocket Liga quality – which would not have been possible with an integrated GPU just a few years ago.
When it comes to more advanced graphics tasks, you’ll need a discrete GPU, which is typically found in high-end desktops. This is where the two main players AMD and Nvidia come in with their graphics cards.
Dedicated GPUs from AMD and Nvidia are completely separate from the CPU and connect to the motherboard directly through the PCIe slots. They have their own dedicated memory allocation exclusively for graphics operations.
This allows them to handle much more complex graphics applications, and if you still need more power, some high-end PCs will allow you to use two GPUs in parallel (side by side). It is the ideal solution for the game advanced CAD / CAM or 3D environments.
Dedicated GPUs should be your first choice if you’re doing something graphically demanding like rendering 3D CAD, editing 360-degree videos, or playing the latest AAA games in ultra 4K quality at 60 fps.
If you only use your computer for casual gaming and want to focus on office and productivity aspects, the graphics power provided by a modern integrated GPU is probably more than enough to get the job done.
What is ray tracing technology?
Without going into technical details, the ray tracing technology found in the latest GPUs in the series
It does this by realistically simulating light sources to create environments and objects that appear more genuinely true to life. It is also responsible for simulating how light interacts with the virtual objects it touches and how it interacts with the world.
While the technology may vary depending on the application, the most common use of ray tracing is in gaming environments. And that is that games feel more realistic and offer more immersive environments.
Whether it’s a single beam of light shining through the masonry windows of an abandoned house you are exploring, or neon lights reflecting off the shiny metal walls, it’s a transformative experience enhancing textures. or the resolution.
Minecraft with RTX is a clear example of the difference ray tracing technology can make in a game. For more information, you can check out anything published by Microsoft on the ray tracing and DLSS now available.
Are GPUs only needed for gaming?
Although discrete GPUs are primarily used to power graphics-intensive programs such as games, Software For editing photos and videos, etc., the use of GPUs is constantly expanding.
Due to the ability of GPUs to perform parallel operations across multiple datasets, scientists and engineers are increasingly turning to GPUs for science and artificial intelligence-based applications.
This is partly because GPUs are more efficient than high-end processors at machine learning, with GPUs capable of processing more in a given time frame than a processor, extending the benefits to neural networks.
There’s also the use of GPUs to mine cryptocurrencies, which has actually caused a lack of Stock in the market when they became fashionable in 2017 and 2018.
If at this point you’re still wondering which GPU model interests you the most, take a look at our article Which Nvidia GPU Should You Buy?, where you will find recommendations and information on the latest models that have been presented.
Finally, take a look at the best graphics cards for pc which you can buy today with those just introduced by Nvidia and AMD.
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