The CPU and GPU are the two sides of one coin, and that one coin is your computer hardware. Nowadays, computers are expected to push their boundaries and perform better than ever. Both the central processing unit (CPU) and the graphical processing unit (GPU) have different roles to fulfill in keeping the machine running.
But how are these two hardware giants present in your computer different from each other? Well, today we are going to answer this question, and we will answer it in full detail, so in the future, you will have no confusion whatsoever when purchasing your new computer.
CPU Overview
If you have just started your journey of learning about computers, the first thing anyone tells you is that the CPU is the heart of your computer. In many ways, this is true, but the CPU is present in all our devices, from smart TVs to smartphones; every electronic has its own CPU. A CPU’s primary function is to process and execute instructions. As a result, it acts as the brain of your device. But for the CPU to function, it must have other hardware devices to work with. The silicon chip, which we call the CPU, sits compactly in a special socket on the motherboard. This socket is entirely different from the memory socket or the GPU socket, both of which are known as PCI-E slots.
CPUs are constructed by stacking billions of microscopic transistors onto a single computer chip. These transistors assist the computer in performing the calculations required to run the programmes stored in your computer’s memory. These transistors in the CPU are similar to small gates that open and close, conveying ones and zeros that translate into everything you do on a computer.
With the passage of time and technological advancement, transistors become ever smaller. As a result, the CPU’s speed and ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time have improved. Moore’s Law refers to the improvement in performance and reduction in transistor size.
Working of CPU
No matter which type of CPU you have, it follows three primary instruction cycles: fetch, decode, and execute. Given below, we have explained these terms and how they are used in the working of the CPU.
1. Fetch
Take any program or software, for example, and you will find that it has many instructions written in its base code. When you open the program on your computer, it gets stored in RAM. The CPU starts reading the instructions, which show how operations need to be performed for a particular address in the memory. In addition to this, during this process of fetching the instructions, the program counter of the CPU keeps up with the record of the address of the instructions that are present in a computer program.
2. Decode
Once the instructions are fetched from the program, a circuitry known as an instruction decoder starts decoding the instructions that are fetched in the memory of your computer. These program instructions are decoded into various signals, which also control the other areas of the CPU.
3. Execute
Once the CPU knows what needs to be done and how it should be done using the decoder on the instructions, the CPU will start the execution of the instructions for the given program, which is present at the following address location.
4. Clock Speed
Another aspect of CPUs is clock speed; the number of clock cycles decides the number of tasks a CPU can perform in a second. The greater the number of clocks, the greater the number of instructions a CPU can process. The clock speed is measured in Hertz; a modern-day CPU has a 4GHz or 5GHz clock speed, which means it can perform 4 million thousand cycles per second.
Different types of CPU
There are a total of six different types of CPUs that you can buy for your computer. We have described each one of them in this section of our article to help you make an informed choice.
1. Single-Core CPU
This is the oldest form of CPU that was ever mass-produced to be sold to the public. Single-core CPUs were developed to execute a single command. Also, if there is more than one task being performed by the CPU, the performance of the CPU declines exponentially. As a result, if one operation is started, the other has to wait till the first one is finished.
2. Dual-Core CPU
This single CPU contains two cores and functions as a dual CPU. In this case, a processor must switch back and forth between a variable array of data streams, and if more threads are executed, the dual-core can effectively perform multitasking. To take advantage of dual-core, the operating system must support simultaneous multi-threading. Dual-core CPUs outperform single-core CPUs in terms of robustness, but quad-core CPUs outperform them.
3. Quad-Core CPU
This CPU type has four cores present in a single CPU; similar to the workings of a dual-core, this CPU also divides the workload between the different cores and allows effective multitasking. That doesn’t mean a single operation will be four times faster in its execution. This execution type can only occur when the operating system and the application support SMT code. This type of CPU is quite common now, and it is used to execute multiple programs at the same time.
4. Hexa-Core CPU
Hexa means six, and that’s how many cores a Hexa-core CPU has. It works at a much faster speed than quad-core and dual-core processors. The first generation of hexa-core processors was Intel’s core-i7 in 2010. In addition to this, most smartphone CPUs are now Hexa-core processors.
5. Octa-Core CPU
Eight independent cores are used in octa-core processors to make a single CPU. They are faster than hexa-cores and are used for high-end computational tasks where you need multiple cores to perform various processes at the same time. If you take any of the octa-core processors, you will find that they have two quad-core processors.
6. Deca-Core CPU
In the deca-core configuration, we have two dual-cores and two quad-cores, which in total makes ten cores in a single CPU. These types of CPUs are only present on servers where large files and applications need to be executed every single second. If you have a PC, then deca-core is the best CPU you can buy to build the ultimate device for yourself.
GPU Overview
Your CPU and GPU are vital for your computer to work efficiently and correctly. There is a misconception about systems running even without the GPU. But that’s not true at all. Even the lightest of tasks, such as displaying the operating system, require a GPU machine. In most low-end computers, the GPU is integrated. It is present in CPU chips only, and it can perform only a handful of graphics-intensive jobs.
The GPU in the last decade has become the most expensive part of any computer, and that’s all because of the shortage of semiconductors that are used in its manufacturing. It is now very difficult to obtain a top-of-the-line GPU without spending any extra money.The GPU is important for both personal and business computing tasks. For example, you need a GPU to play video games on a computer, and a GPU is required to render a movie or 3D graphic design.
The original concept behind making a GPU was to give dedicated hardware for the 3D rendering of graphics. With time, the graphics on computers have become more flexible and enhanced. This resulted in programmers creating more amazing and true-to-life visuals using various shadow and lighting techniques.
Working of GPU
The GPU works quite similar to that of a CPU, but the GPU executes different types of instructions and programs. For many, the terms “GPU” and “graphics card” can be used interchangeably. There is still a subtle distinction between these two terms. A graphics card is considered to be hardware that houses the GPU chip on its all-in-one board. The board also comes with a raft of components used to connect the GPU with the rest of the system, allowing it to work efficiently.
The task of a GPU is quite complex, but when it comes to understanding its principles and components, you don’t need to pull out your hair. In order for a graphic processing unit to create a 3D image, the GPU creates a wireframe from the straight lines. After that, it fills up the remaining portions of the image and adds the lighting, texture, and color. The computer goes through this same process at least 100 to 120 times per second when it comes to fast-paced games. In addition to this, all the calculations that need to be done for this process to happen are taken care of by the GPU, and thus the CPU is left to execute other tasks.
The GPU is designed to perform complex mathematical and geometric calculations that are required for graphics rendering. Even the most common GPUs have a higher number of transistors to perform mathematical calculations than a top-of-the-line CPU. Also, when a GPU is performing so many calculations per second, it is evident that it gets hot. As a result, you will have a heat fan for each graphics card to keep the GPU and the system’s temperature balanced.
Different types of GPU
There are four different types of GPU available in the market, and you can purchase them for your latest build.
1. Integrated GPU
If you have a computer that you assemble on your own, chances are you will end up with integrated graphics that can only perform specific tasks related to 3D rendering. In other words, an integrated graphics card is also known as an onboard graphics card. Many of the latest-gen CPUs come with integrated graphics that can easily handle light games and other applications.
But these integrated graphics are not going to give you anything more than that. For more intense gaming performance and 3D rendering, you need to have a dedicated graphics unit. Integrated graphic processors can’t be replaced on their own. In order to replace them, you either need to replace the CPU or the motherboard.
2. Dedicated GPU
A dedicated GPU will have its own all-in-one board along with a heatsink and fan. These graphics cards are not cheap to buy, and they sometimes cost more than the whole machine. If you want to play AAA gaming titles at their highest settings, then you need to spend a lot of money to get a good dedicated graphics card for your system. Right now, there are only two companies that are producing dedicated graphics in the world.
The first is NVIDIA, and the second is AMD from Japan. These dedicated graphics cards can easily be replaced and upgraded with a new one. These desiccated GPUs are inserted into PCI Express slots.
Side by Side Comparison of GPU & CPU
Now that we have talked about both the CPU and GPU individually, let’s move onto their side-by-side comparison and wrap up what we have learned about them.
| CPU | GPU |
| The full form of the CPU is the Central Processing Unit, and it is like the heart of your computer. Every calculation and process which is done by your computer takes place in the CPU. | The full form of GPU is Graphical Processing Unit |
| CPU is more power-hungry than GPU. As a result, it requires a separate heatsink and fan to keep its temperature in check. | GPU isn’t as power-hungry as CPU; thus, it can run with less memory than CPU. |
| When it comes to the speed of completing the calculations, the CPU comes second in comparison to GPU. | When it comes to completing the calculations assigned, the GPU is much faster than the CPU. |
| The CPU has multiple cores inside, and the greater the number of cores the better will be the multitasking ability. | GPUs do have more cores, but they lack the power and efficiency which CPU cores have. |
| CPU is used for processing serial instructions. Thus, it also has lower latency than GPUs. | GPUs are suitable for parallel instruction processing, and they are able to provide high throughput. |
Wrapping Up
So this is what the CPU vs. GPU debate is all about. These days, GPUs are more expensive than CPUs, so if you’re on a tight budget, it’s best to start with small changes and save up your money before investing in a better GPU. On the other hand, if you spend too much on your GPU purchase without thinking about the CPU requirements, you will have problems running the CPU again.
If you are more of an open-world gamer, then it is better to upgrade your GPU first, as open-world and highly graphically intensive games are more GPU-centric. You will need to change the CPU if you play fast-paced games like first-person shooters and strategic games. In that case, you need to have a better CPU unit to process other players simultaneously.