GPU and Shaders Flashcards

Flashcards about GPUs and shaders based on lecture notes.

What is a GPU?

A specialized processor designed to handle complex mathematical and geometric calculations for graphics rendering.

What is the key difference between a GPU and a CPU?

GPUs are specialized for parallel data processing and high throughput, while CPUs are general-purpose processors optimized for sequential task execution.

Describe the core architecture difference between GPUs and CPUs.

Thousands of smaller, less powerful cores in GPUs versus fewer, more powerful cores in CPUs.

How does memory usage differ between GPUs and CPUs?

GPUs use high-speed, specialized memory with high memory bandwidth, whereas CPUs use large system memory (RAM) with lower memory bandwidth.

What are typical applications for GPUs?

Gaming, video rendering, machine learning, and simulations.

What processes do GPUs accelerate?

Rendering 2D & 3D images, image transformations, lighting, shading, textures, motion and frame calculation, and real-time updates.

What are the main components of a GPU architecture?

Thousands of small cores for parallel processing, memory blocks (VRAM), and shaders.

What are the primary types of GPUs?

Dedicated GPUs, Integrated GPUs, and Cloud GPUs.

What are Shaders?

Programs that run on the graphics card to perform actions such as changing pixel color or transforming 3D coordinates.

Name a few different types of shaders.

Pixel/fragment shaders, vertex shaders, and geometry shaders.

Why are shaders important?

To simulate lighting and shadows, create water, fire, fog, and glass effects, apply textures to 3D models, and animate objects in real-time.

What are common shader languages?

GLSL (OpenGL), HLSL (DirectX), and Cg (NVIDIA).

What is rendering?

Converting 3D models into 2D images.

What is considered a popular GPU in Graphics?

NVidia GeForce and AMD Radeon.

What does GPGPU stand for?

Using a GPU for computing tasks traditionally handled by a CPU.

What are a few reasons GPUs are important?

Modern AI and ML, graphics and game development, cloud environments, parallel algorithms, and expanding career opportunities.