What is Graphics processing unit?
[[File:Geforce3gpu.jpg|thumb|right|Nvidia GeForce 3 GPU (introduced in 2001)]] A '''graphics processing unit''' ('''GPU''') is the processor on a [[graphics card]]. It makes [[images]], [[animation]]s, [[Computer graphics|graphics]] and then displays them on the [[Computer monitor|computer’s screen]]. A strong GPU is able to process complex animations and graphics smoothly and efficiently. Images which GPUs make may be 2D or 3D. For most applications, the GPU has to make two dimensional ([[2D]]) pictures. Some applications use [[3D]] pictures to simulate three-dimensionality.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2025-02-12|title=Chinese GPUs outdo Nvidia chips nearly tenfold in supercomputer task|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3298226/chinese-gpus-outdo-nvidia-chips-nearly-tenfold-supercomputer-simulation-study|access-date=2025-02-16|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=published|first=Kunal Khullar|date=2025-02-03|title=Chinese algorithm claimed to boost Nvidia GPU performance by up to 800X for advanced science applications|url=https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/chinese-algorithm-claimed-to-boost-nvidia-gpu-performance-by-up-to-800x-for-advanced-science-applications|access-date=2025-02-16|website=Tom's Hardware|language=en}}</ref> == Origin == The first graphics processors were used in the 1970s in [[video arcade|arcade]] machines. Graphics processors were not used for [[consumer]] products until the 1980s because they were too expensive to make. During the mid 1990s, graphics processors became common in arcade games, computer games and [[Console role-playing game|console]] games. The first GPU for [[personal computer]]s was the [[Nvidia GeForce]] 256, released in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shimpi|first=Anand Lal|date=1999-12-25|title=NVIDIA GeForce 256 DDR|url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/429|access-date=2024-01-10|website=www.anandtech.com}}</ref> It could calculate [[Geometry|geometric]] objects in space and some lighting effects. General Processing