Difference in structure and operation of a graphics processor vs. a regular processor

Discussion in 'Computer Science & Culture' started by pluto2, Dec 18, 2009.

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  1. pluto2 Banned Valued Senior Member

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    What is the difference in structure and operation between a graphics processor (also called graphics coprocessor) who is designed to peform floating point operations and a regular processor?
     
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  3. fedr808 1100101 Valued Senior Member

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    Not really all that much. Especially with newer ones.

    Really in truth the actual processer part is basically a miniature CPU.

    a good graphics processer will take the load off of the cpu to make graphics calculations.
     
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  5. RubiksMaster Real eyes realize real lies Registered Senior Member

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    The difference is in the capability of the datapath. It has more specialized graphics operations supported directly on the hardware. It doesn't have to support as rich an instruction set, so it's less programmable. It does a more specific job than the normal CPU.
     
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  7. Read-Only Valued Senior Member

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    Just as Fder said, there's not much difference. The graphical processor is much less powerful, even on top-of -the-line cards but generally has a generous amount of RAM to go with it.

    All of the graphical routines and data are routed to the graphics card and frees the main processor to do all the other "heavy lifting."

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