Graphical Processing Units (GPUs) are single-chip processors capable of processing millions of polygons per second for 3D applications. The first GPU was the Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) in the IBM PC Model 5150, which had limited color palettes. There are three main types of GPUs: PCI, AGP, and PCI-Express, which differ in connection speeds and overclocking abilities. GPUs are commonly used for gaming, medical imaging like CT scans and ultrasounds, and simulations. However, GPUs are fragile, prone to overheating, and expensive. Their future involves increasing speeds through partnerships between technology companies and more realistic simulations.

1. Graphical Processing Units (GPU)
Landon Jackson
William Mason High School - Cincinnati, Ohio
Used primarily in 3D applications, GPU is a single-chip processor with integrated
transform, lighting, triangle setup/clipping, and rendering engines that is capable of
processing a minimum of 10 million polygons per second.
Color Graphics Adapter (Model 5150 IBM PC)
This Is the first GPU ever created called the CGA (Color
Graphics Adapter) located in the IBM PC Model 5150. (Cyan, Purple, White, Black; Green, Red,
It only had certain color palettes that it could work with
and in those palettes one color had to be black and you Yellow, Black; Red, Black, Cyan, White).
could choose the others.
Types of GPUs
There are three types of video cards PCI, AGP and PCI-E.
• Peripheral Component Interconnect PCI is the oldest type of video card AGP comes next and
• Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) the newest installment is PCI-E and there is regular, 2.0,
• Peripheral Component Interconnect 2.1, x1 and x16 2.0 and they all work very differently
Express regarding speeds or overclocking abilities.
Uses
GPUs have many uses but here are some of the most common
uses: Gaming is very big and that is probably where GPU
• Gaming businesses such as Nvidia earn most of their profit. Next is
• Medical (CT/MRI and Ultrasonic 3D viewing) medical and this is a very big help in the medical field such as
• Simulations speeding up MRI scanning or turning Ultrasounds 3D. Lastly is
simulators which is helpful in training students or soldiers in
simulated scenarios before the real event or action.
Barriers
If not treated carefully, GPUs can become slowed and
even melted. It is important to have a good amount
• Fragile of cooling with your GPU. They can also break very
• Overheating easily and should be handle with care. GPUs are so
• Cost expensive the cost of one GPU can equal the price of
a personal computer but are very worth it.
Future
The future of GPU computing is very bright. Technology and
• Faster software companies are creating partnerships and their
• Partnerships products just keep getting better and way more realistic.
• More realistic