From processing simple images to rendering breathtaking visuals GPUs have come a long way. To make this GPU have to add multiple architectures. And every addition added a new term! Now these terms can be a bit confusing for the average person who doesn’t speak and breathe computers. So, fear not today I’ll solve this problem once and for all.
Lets Goo!
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): Think of the GPU as the part of your computer that makes images appear on your screen. It’s like the artist behind the scenes, quickly drawing and painting each frame of a video game or movie so you can see it on your monitor.
VRAM (Video Random Access Memory): VRAM is like the artist’s canvas. It’s a special type of memory inside the GPU where it stores all the pictures, textures, and colors it needs to paint on your screen. Your has RAM and the GPU has a VRAM
CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture): CUDA is a tool that lets programmers use the GPU for more than just graphics. It’s like giving the artist a new set of tools and colors to create all sorts of things, not just pictures.
CUDA Cores (NVIDIA): CUDA cores are to GPU what cores are to CPU. Each core helps to create the final image you see on your screen.
While you’re playing a game or watching a video, these CUDA cores work together to quickly process all the information needed to make everything look smooth and detailed.
Just like in a factory where more workers can get things done faster, GPUs with more CUDA cores can handle complex tasks and graphics more efficiently.
OpenCL (Open Computing Language): OpenCL is another tool like CUDA, but it’s for different types of computers, not just ones with NVIDIA GPUs. It’s like having a universal tool that works on any nut, not just one brand.
Stream Processors (AMD): Stream processors are similar to CUDA cores but used in AMD’s GPUs. Think of them as the workers inside AMD’s GPU factory. Instead of being called “CUDA cores,” they’re called “stream processors,” but they do a similar job. So, whether it’s CUDA cores or stream processors, they’re all working hard behind the scenes to make your games and videos look great!
DirectX: DirectX is like the instruction manual for the artist. It’s a set of rules and guidelines that tell the GPU how to draw things on the screen, like characters, buildings, and special effects in games.
Vulkan: Vulkan is a newer instruction manual, kind of like an updated version of DirectX. It helps the GPU draw things faster and more efficiently, like using a better, faster paintbrush.
Ray Tracing: Ray tracing is a fancy way of making things in games look more real. It’s like the artist using real light and shadows to make a painting look 3D instead of just flat.
Shader: Shaders are like special paintbrushes that the artist uses to add cool effects to their paintings, like shiny reflections or realistic water.
Texture Mapping: Texture mapping is like sticking a sticker with a picture on it onto a plain object in a painting to make it look more detailed and interesting.
Anti-Aliasing: Anti-aliasing is like smoothing out the edges of things in a painting so they don’t look jagged or pixelated. It makes the picture look nicer and more polished.
Frame Rate: Frame rate is like how many pictures are shown in one second when you’re watching a video or playing a game. A higher frame rate means everything looks smoother and moves more quickly.
SLI (Scalable Link Interface): SLI is like having two artists work together on the same painting at the same time. They can paint different parts of the picture faster, so it gets done quicker.
CrossFire: CrossFire is like SLI, but for AMD GPUs instead of NVIDIA ones. It’s another way to make multiple GPUs work together to draw things faster.
TDP (Thermal Design Power): TDP is like how much heat the GPU makes when it’s working hard. It’s important because if the GPU gets too hot, it can slow down or even break.
Overclocking: Overclocking is like making the artist work faster by giving them more paint and brushes. It can make things look better or move faster, but it also makes the GPU hotter and might cause problems if you’re not careful.
I hope I made all this mambo jambo a bit easier to understand.