A computer is a versatile machine, allowing its users to make anything out of it as per their perosnal aims and desire. But over the past few years the terms related to describing a computer component and hardware are becoming more and more complex with every passing day. CPU, GPU and now even APU are few of the key terms used every now and then in relation to computers.
So if you are an average user or someone who is not familiar with hardware terminoilogy then you are at the right place 'coz today i'll explain the advanatages and disadvantages of these three key components along with drawing your attention to some really geeky stuff!
Video games demand much from CPUs, and usually earmark the physics calculations to it. A processor can have a mere single core working at a weak 1.0Ghz to a mammoth 8-core giant easily reaching to 4.0Ghz!
Some CPUs also carry with them different technologies, such as Intel’s Hyperthreading, where 4 physical cores can appear to the operating system as 8 virtual cores, getting the most power out of the 4 that you really have.
A GPU is avaiable in various shapes and sizes, it can be an integrated GPU such as that buit in on hyour motherboard or to a dedicated GPU that you plug into the PCI or PCI-E port of your motherboard. You would use a GPU to do more of the number crunching involving physics and vectors, ie. more algebraic functionality rather than running process strings and terminal based applications really. GPU’s are particularly useful in builds that focus on graphic design, CAD (Computer Aided Design) work, gaming (shadows, physics, simulated enviroments), or multi-desktop (more than 1-2 monitors).
The difference between CPUs and GPUs is that GPUs are highly specialized in number crunching, something that graphics processing desperately needs as it involves millions, if not billions, of calculations per second. The amount of cores that GPUs have depends on the manufacturer. nVidia graphics solutions tend to pack more power into fewer chips, while AMD solutions pack in more cores to increase processing power. Typical high-end graphics cards have 68 cores if it’s nVidia, and ~1500 cores if it’s AMD.
While APUs generally don’t satisfy power users’ highest demands, they are more than enough for those with light to medium-high requirements for general processing as well as gaming. Although they can be used in many machines, they are usually recommended for mobile devices, laptops, and lower-end desktops. AMD has been making a big push toward APUs with a combination of their CPUs and Radeon graphics.
Intel has also been doing the same, including graphics capabilities in their Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge processors, although they don’t market them as APUs.
So if you are an average user or someone who is not familiar with hardware terminoilogy then you are at the right place 'coz today i'll explain the advanatages and disadvantages of these three key components along with drawing your attention to some really geeky stuff!
CPU:
It stands for Central Processing Unit and is the most common and oldest term that we all have been listening to since the first time we saw what a computer really looks and works like. It is basically the heart of your system unmindful if its a laptop, dektop or even a tablet PC! It enables your system to load the OS on the memory to executing each and every click and clack that you do on your PC.
Some CPUs also carry with them different technologies, such as Intel’s Hyperthreading, where 4 physical cores can appear to the operating system as 8 virtual cores, getting the most power out of the 4 that you really have.
GPU:
The Graphical Processing Unit commonly seen and known as a Graphic Card is a chip that rests on a circuit board combined to be named as a Graphic Card. It helps you to connect your system to the monitor for a display output through a VGA or HDMI port. While computers can function without some sort of a GPU, you won’t be able to connect a monitor to them.
A GPU is avaiable in various shapes and sizes, it can be an integrated GPU such as that buit in on hyour motherboard or to a dedicated GPU that you plug into the PCI or PCI-E port of your motherboard. You would use a GPU to do more of the number crunching involving physics and vectors, ie. more algebraic functionality rather than running process strings and terminal based applications really. GPU’s are particularly useful in builds that focus on graphic design, CAD (Computer Aided Design) work, gaming (shadows, physics, simulated enviroments), or multi-desktop (more than 1-2 monitors).
The difference between CPUs and GPUs is that GPUs are highly specialized in number crunching, something that graphics processing desperately needs as it involves millions, if not billions, of calculations per second. The amount of cores that GPUs have depends on the manufacturer. nVidia graphics solutions tend to pack more power into fewer chips, while AMD solutions pack in more cores to increase processing power. Typical high-end graphics cards have 68 cores if it’s nVidia, and ~1500 cores if it’s AMD.
APU:
A relatively new term that stands for Accelerated Processing Unit & gained popularity after the launch of the AMD line-up of the new APU chips. Not going into much technicality it is a sandwich of a CPU and a GPU together ie both of these are put on the same die makinhg them in closer proximity with eachother hence increasing their efficieny by reduing the time taken for the signals to be transferred to and fro. Also an APU has less silicon used up making it less power hungry and cheaper to produce making it a cheap buy for the consumers.
While APUs generally don’t satisfy power users’ highest demands, they are more than enough for those with light to medium-high requirements for general processing as well as gaming. Although they can be used in many machines, they are usually recommended for mobile devices, laptops, and lower-end desktops. AMD has been making a big push toward APUs with a combination of their CPUs and Radeon graphics.
Intel has also been doing the same, including graphics capabilities in their Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge processors, although they don’t market them as APUs.
Conclusion:
Choosing between a CPU with a descrete GPU or a single all in one APU is all about needs and usage. If you are a high end user then a strong to mid range CPU with a heavy GPU is recommended whereas for medium to low end users an APU is typically the best option considering everything.
So this was all that I had to say regarding these three components hope that it helped you to some extent. Do leave a comment regarding your queries or confusions and as always if you have a point to add to this then feel free to say.
.JPG)
0 comments:
Post a Comment