06-07-2012, 11:30 AM
GUP Architecture
The GPU has always been a processor with ample computational resources. The most important recent trend, however, has been exposing that computation to the programmer. Over the past few years, the GPU has evolved from a fixed-function special-purpose processor into a full-fledged parallel programmable processor with additional fixed-function special-purpose functionality. More than ever, the programmable aspects of the processor have taken center stage.
We begin by chronicling this evolution, starting from the structure of the graphics pipeline and how the GPU has become a general-purpose architecture, then taking a closer look at the architecture of the modern GPU.
The GPU has always been a processor with ample computational resources. The most important recent trend, however, has been exposing that computation to the programmer. Over the past few years, the GPU has evolved from a fixed-function special-purpose processor into a full-fledged parallel programmable processor with additional fixed-function special-purpose functionality. More than ever, the programmable aspects of the processor have taken center stage.
We begin by chronicling this evolution, starting from the structure of the graphics pipeline and how the GPU has become a general-purpose architecture, then taking a closer look at the architecture of the modern GPU.