Find solution
What is the best cpu and gpu combination?

GPU's and the future of the CPU?

  • i just red an article on Maximumpc.com (http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/state_gpu_computing_cpu_dead_yet?page=0,0) that stated that gpu's will soon be used for almost everything that the cpu does. Now i know that during a game the cpu processes things like the layout of the wold and the AI, conversations, reactions of enemies... and so on. but what i don't get is that the gpu is said to be an extra resource for better computing so why would someone want to make it so that the gpu does everything and the cpu sits and watches? It's looking like they want the gpu to handle everything not just the graphics. sure were in a new age with gpgpu's now but why does the gpu have to process the way the smoke moves on the screen after the explosion why not give that job to the cpu? Most of them now a days have more then one thread so you'd think they could handle the task. is it because the gpu can do it better? Also if we are going into a world where the gpu does everything then what will the cpu do?

  • Answer:

    If we ever do go into a world where the GPU does everything then obviously the CPU won't even be present, it will simply just be the GPU. I can imagine a day when there is only one physical component, be it the CPU or GPU, in which it's like a sort of fusion of both chips. Which I imagine is basically like the gpgpu processors! The CPU is needed for more than games, though, it used to help everything in the computer work and function together. It's the conductor of the symphony that is your computer, whether it be controlling what component does what or where data needs to go it does it. The GPU, on the other-hand, merely performs vast floating point operations (something it does much better than the CPU) and can render much more 3D co-ordinates to a 2D screen than a CPU ever could (thanks to it's parallel processing power and pipelines designed for that). So, while the GPU is incredible at calculations if you nixed the CPU altogether it would no longer be as powerful, because it would take the heavy burden of the CPU. :P

John D. at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

I think you misinterpretted the conclusion of the article. It's just stating that GPUs are great for parallel processing (which means they're exceptionally good for graphics rendering). Since everything is moving towards better graphical UIs, GPUs will be very important for the future of computing. However, you still need the CPU to do... well... everything else.

Mercuri

I don't think the article is stating that the GPU will take over all the functions of the CPU but that they GPU has potential processing power that could help boost overall performance of future computers. The GPU could be given additional processing tasks, most likely more tasks pertaining to the video aspect of computer functionality, allowing the CPU to devote more power to other tasks. The cores in a GPU are too small and too simple to match the functions of cores within a CPU. In order to build a GPU with the number of cores needed for typical video function AND the power to take over the CPUs role would require a GPU too big to fit inside any case.

Nick

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.