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GPU tutorial

A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a microprocessor that has been designed specifically for the processing of 3D graphics. The processor is built with integrated transform, lighting, triangle setup/clipping, and rendering engines, capable of handling millions of math-intensive processes per second. GPUs form the heart of modern graphics cards, relieving the CPU (central processing units) of much of the graphics processing load. GPUs allow products such as desktop PCs, portable computers, and game consoles to process real-time 3D graphics that only a few years ago were only available on high-end workstations.

GPUs are true processing units, on par with the CPUs they compliment. For instance, Nvidia's new Geforce3 contains 57 million transistors on a 0.15 micron manufacturing process; for comparison, the Pentium 4 contains 42 million transistors on a 0.18 micron process. Smaller processes produce faster transistors. Physically, at least, the Geforce 3 is a more powerful processor than the Pentium 4.

Memory is also an important component of a GPU. Onboard memory, and the way in which it is configured, can have as great an impact on graphics performance as the number of transistors, or clock speed. Most GPUs in new PC's have at least 16 MB of onboard RAM, with up to 64 MB on higher-end chips. The speed at which the onboard RAM can accessed is important as well.

GPU Companies

Nvidia
Nvidia was the first company to produce a GPU, the Geforce 256, released at the end of 1999. Since then, the Geforce series has developed into several iterations, including the Geforce 3, which powers the Xbox, the Go series, developed specifically for the low power environments of laptop computers, and the Quadro series, developed specifically for workstations. The Geforce 3 is Nvidia's first programmable GPU, which greatly increases the ability of developers to customize the virtual worlds of games or simulations. In addition, the Geforce 3 supports customizable shading, which allows for more life-like scenes.

ATI
ATI has been producing PC video cards since the mid 1990's. In 2000 they released the Rage 128 GPU card series, to compete head-on with Nvidia's Geforce. Since then the Rage series has been incorporated into PCs and portables, including most of the Macintosh line. The new Radeon series incorporates ATI's Charisma Engine, Pixel Tapestry architecture, and Hyper Z memory bandwidth management.

Additional sources of information:*

Nvidia

ATI

C|Net's interview with Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang

Amo.net's review of the Nvidia Geforce 3

NVNews.net's Nvidia Geforce 256 review and GPU overview




*The WAVE Report is not responsible for content on additional sites.

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Page updated 1/24/07
Copyright 4th Wave Inc, 2007