What is the difference between GPU and graphics card?

The main difference between GPU and Graphic Card is that the GPU is the unit in the graphics card that does the actual processing of images and graphics whereas the graphics card is an expansion card in the device that outputs images to display on. the output device.

There is a distinct difference between GPU and graphics card, although these two terms are often used interchangeably. The main task of the graphics card is to present images on the display unit. GPU is a unit located on the graphics card. Performs actual calculations related to graphs. It handles high resolution graphics processing tasks and consists of multiple cores with small instruction sets. GPU reduces the workload of the main processor.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a CPU?
     – Definition, Functionality
2. What is a GPU?
     – Definition, Functionality
3. What is a graphics card?
     – Definition, Functionality
4. What is the relationship between GPU and graphics card?
     – Definition, Functionality
5. What is the difference between GPU and graphics card?
     – Comparison of key differences

Key terms

CPU, coprocessor, graphics card, GPU, processor, video card

                        Difference Between GPU and Graphics Card – Comparison Summary

what is a CPU

All the functionalities of a computer are handled by the CPU, which stands for Central Processing Unit. Most CPUs can execute multiple instructions at once. The user can perform tasks like gilding, spreadsheet calculations, listening to music, playing video games, etc. simultaneously with the help of the CPU. To prevent CPU overload, there are special processors called coprocessors. A coprocessor supports the functionalities of the CPU. One type of coprocessor is the GPU.

What is a GPU?

GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit . Its main task is to render graphics. Graphics on a computer are represented using mathematical concepts such as arrays. Therefore, the GPU is capable of performing a large number of calculations simultaneously. It has identical computing units that can solve similar mathematical functions.

                                                                      Figure 1: GPU

In general, GPUs are commonly used in embedded systems, personal computers, workstations, game consoles, and mobile phones.

What is a graphics card?

Graphics card is also known as graphics card , video card etc. It is an expansion card in the device that generates images to display on an output device, such as a computer monitor. The graphics card is made in the form of a printed circuit board (PCB) and can be integrated into the motherboard.

                                                             Figure 2: Graphics Card

Resolution and refresh rate are two important factors when considering graphics. Resolution refers to the number of pixels used to display the image, while refresh rate refers to the number of times the image is redrawn in one second. The graphics card consists of a specialized processor known as a GPU to perform graphics calculations. In general, the graphics card performs the display functions and frees up the main CPU for other tasks.

Relationship between GPU and graphics card

• GPU is located inside the graphics card.

Difference between GPU and graphics card

Definition

GPU is a specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to speed up the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display device. The graphics card is an expansion card in the computer that generates a source of output images to the screen of a device and consists of a GPU.

Core functionality

GPU is a unit in the graphics card that handles computer graphics and image processing. The graphics card generates images to output to the device’s display unit. This is the main difference between GPU and Graphic Card.

Synonyms

GPU is known as the Graphics Processing Unit. Graphics card is also known as video card, graphics card, display adapter, and graphics adapter.

conclusion

GPU is a coprocessor found inside the graphics card. The difference between GPU and Graphics Card is that GPU is the unit in the graphics card that does the actual processing of images and graphics, while Graphics Card is an expansion card in the device that outputs images to display on the device. exit.

Reference:

1. “Graphics Processing Unit”. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, September 11, 2018, available here.
2. “Video card”. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, August 19, 2018, available here.
3. “What Is a Graphics Card?” TheCuriousEngineer, Jan. 4, 2013, available here.

Courtesy image:

1. “NVIDIA NV45 GPU IS GPU” by Hyins – Own work (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons
2. “Nubus graphics card” (CC BY-SA 2.5) via Wikimedia Commons