Is programing CPU or GPU intensive? (solved and explained)

You love programming or making video games, you love handling graphical intense stuff and you wonder with yourself. Which is best for you?. Or which is intensive or hard programming CPU or GPU. Or maybe you want to know each specification of each one. So in this article. I will respond to your principal question. Is programing CPU or GPU intensive?.

So keep reading to know why the programing is intensive or not, and what is CPU? What is GPU? and also what is the difference between this CPU and GPU?

You need to understand the difference in order to make the right decision of adopting CPU or GPU. We will simplify the thing to make you understand better and easier.

is programing CPU or GPU intensive?

the question relates between the time and quality of calculus. If you want a fast response and acceptable result then CPU could be the best option for you. On another side, you would have high-quality results and precise calculus. But you don’t care about time execution or even power consumption CPU will be more beneficial and efficacy.

SO like in any process development :

  • you study your project
  • draw your obligation and red line
  • you make your priorities and follow them

So you have to find a better way to do that. By using CPU in times or GPU in some other times.

in the next paragraphs, we will explain much with details.in CPU and GPU world.

What is a CPU?

SIMPLE  DEFINITION

The CPU is an electronic component dedicated to computing operations. We can call it a computing device. It is a small component with a regularly small size like in this image below.

                                    

                

It could be mounted in multiple hardware. In more detail, you can unplug the CPU from your computer and plug in another one. The CPU gets plugged into the motherboard or mainboard. His job is to make a billion calculus per second. The birth of laptops and smartphone is due to the advancement the CPU technology knew.

CPU is made of a group of billions of transistors in microscopic size. Everyday technology makes the CPU more powerful and high efficient.

The goal for CPU researchers is to keep advancing and miniaturizing those CPU components(transistors). Thus improving the CPU speed and efficiency. which means you can run your programs faster and without bugs or distortions.

HOW IT WORK

CPU receives the instructions and orders outside of a program application and executes a calculation. So it finally gives back the outcome like opening windows running or closing a program, etc…

first, the CPU gets the information from RAM, it is a vital memory. The CPU gets the instruction from it. This operation is called fetching.

Second thing. Is the CPU must now decode the instructions and transform them into its own language. So it could be able to understand and operate them. This operation is called decoding.

In the last step the CPU trait the information and make the calculation through a million operations per second. It is so fast. Then invite the response to external sources like screen monitors or voice monitors for etc… This operation is called executing.

What is GPU?

SIMPLE DEFINITION

The GPU word is an abbreviation of Graphics Processing unit it a component responsible for computer operation graphics. It is a complex electronic circuit. his role is to speed up the graphic process like creating video editing, rendering images, or making plans with 3d laser scanners, etc.

we use GPU also to improve the quality of images. In some cases, GPU became indispensable to use for high-efficiency design editing or game fabrication. Nowadays GPUs are almost everywhere especially for advanced laptops, smartphones, and so on. The fabricators tend to use GPU to enhance graphic performance.

You can ask gamers or 3d software modelers and they will respond to you how much is primordial to have GPU in your computers or device.

HOW IT WORKS

The consistency of GPU is also based on multiples of transistors. And what I mean by multiples is millions or more. GPU has inner special programs that allow them to analyze and process data.

the GPU works with the same principles as the CPU. It always has a connection between other hardware components such a RAM or external monitors. It processes images information and decides how to use the pixels on the image. We can dictate you, the operation in the following steps.

first, the processor receives the information then processes the info. Therefore gives the outcome info by deciding what to do with each pixel on the screen.

The second thing is to invite the info to the memory chips. It is located in the card graphic, GPU uses this memory as temporary store for their coming info.

the last step is to attain the info stored and invite it to an external source like screen monitors.

What is more important in a PC for programming, CPU, or GPU?

when you must use GPU?

The GPU developer made this chip in such a way that allows multi-tasking. It is comprised of numerous cores that can multi-thread simultaneously. GPU is good in multi-tasking and simultaneous operations. Due to its consistency, it can operate very well in these kinds of tasks way more than CPU. GPU required for 3d and 2d processing, for mapping gestures rendering images.

If you are a gamer or game programmer and you work on high-level games that require a high definition. It is evident that you should use GPU for the work.

According to the power that GPU offers especially for games that require fast image processing. And for high quality, it is wiser to look for a GPU to increase your refresh rate and properly.

Let’s pick an example. If you want to program a game or make a game with a high resolution like 1080p. It is impossible to only count on the CPU. The experience will be terrible. You will end up looking to add a graphic card that must-have in this case at least 4GB of space. And with a high resolution of more than 1080p like 4k (to work without bugs).

What are CPUs better than GPUs at?

what is makes CPU strong is their versatility.CPU can manage input and output individually which is not possible for GPU. CPU processes data sequentially and spread the task to its multiple units ” (ALU), main storage, and control unit “. GPU doesn’t have these characteristics. which makes CPU special.

And a CPU is the only thing that will handle some system-level management.

the CPU also has some traits that couldn’t be found in GPU like. 

  • Speculative execution

Is a technique where a CPU can perform some tasks before they could know if they are needed or not. If he finds them important he can access them directly if not they will ignore them. This technique increases the time of responding and prevents the delay that can happen by doing the work after it is known that it is needed.

including branch prediction

is a technique prediction that takes advantage of computer architecture.CPU architecture has a lot of branches. the use of all its branches to process information can be time costly. So this technique predicts which branch to use instead of all. Therefore reduce a certain amount of time if the prediction is true.

conclusion

CPU is different from GPU that doesn’t mean one is better than the other. Each one has its own specific application. You wouldn’t render highly detailed forms and images without a GPU. On the other sides, you need computing power if you work in database servers or office applications.

In general, the GPU user looks for a dramatic graphic and exciting experience. So it makes them buy expensive cards with high abilities and performances. But they have to understand one thing. They must choose a GPU that is matching up with their CPU. So as to not have problems due to the big difference in CPU and GPU capacities…

In general. For applications that require high resolution and high refresh time GPU is an obligation, not an option. You should pick GPU with the specification that matches your need.

You can only use a CPU and it is still great if you are not interested in a demanding graphic application.CPU works better in almost all games and software. Don’t throw your money for just playing Minecraft or programming normal applications.

In conclusion, the biggest considerations to add GPU or not is your budget and your personal need.

yassin.ajanif

Yassin ajanif is a physics graduate and electromechanical engineer width more than 5 years in the field. My goal and my team are to share our experience to help you succeed in your career as a stem major. we talk about all tips, problems, and struggle STEM students face in their career and how to overcome them.