GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) Guide

Master GPU architecture, performance, and optimization with interactive examples

⏱️ Reading time: 0 min•Last updated: 10/7/2025

GPU Architecture & Performance Guide

Explore GPU technology, from rendering pipelines to parallel computing. Learn how graphics processors work and how to optimize their performance for gaming, content creation, and scientific computing.

Understanding GPU architecture and rendering pipelines
Performance benchmarking and comparison tools
Thermal management and cooling solutions
Programming techniques for GPU optimization
Ray tracing and AI acceleration features

NVIDIA RTX 4090

High-End Gaming

AMD RX 7900 XTX

High-End Gaming

NVIDIA RTX A6000

Workstation

Intel Arc A770

Mainstream

GPU Key Specifications

CUDA Cores

1,000 - 18,000+

Parallel processors for graphics and compute tasks

Memory

4GB - 48GB GDDR6

High-speed video memory for textures and buffers

Memory Bus

64-bit - 384-bit

Width of memory interface affecting bandwidth

Clock Speed

1.0 - 2.5 GHz

Processing frequency of GPU cores

TDP

75W - 450W

Thermal Design Power - maximum heat generated under load

Architecture

RDNA, Ampere, Ada

Microarchitecture design generation

GPU Architecture Diagram

Interactive visualization of GPU components and rendering pipeline

<div class="gpu-diagram">
  <div class="gpu-container">
    <div class="gpu-component shader-cores" data-info="Shader Cores: Parallel processors for graphics/compute">
      <div class="component-label">Shader Cores</div>
      <div class="core-grid">
        <div class="core"></div><div class="core"></div><div class="core"></div>
        <div class="core"></div><div class="core"></div><div class="core"></div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div class="gpu-component rt-cores" data-info="RT Cores: Dedicated hardware for ray tracing">
      <div class="component-label">RT Cores</div>
      <div class="rt-core"></div>
    </div>
    <div class="gpu-component tensor-cores" data-info="Tensor Cores: AI acceleration for DLSS and more">
      <div class="component-label">Tensor Cores</div>
      <div class="tensor-core"></div>
    </div>
    <div class="gpu-component vram" data-info="VRAM: High-speed memory for textures and buffers">
      <div class="component-label">24GB GDDR6X</div>
    </div>
    <div class="gpu-component memory-controller" data-info="Memory Controller: Manages VRAM access">
      <div class="component-label">Memory Controller</div>
    </div>
    <div class="gpu-component display-engine" data-info="Display Engine: Outputs video signal to monitors">
      <div class="component-label">Display Engine</div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="info-panel">
    <h4>Component Information</h4>
    <p id="component-info">Hover over components to learn more</p>
  </div>
</div><div class="gpu-diagram">
  <div class="gpu-container">
    <div class="gpu-component shader-cores" data-info="Shader Cores: Parallel processors for graphics/compute">
      <div class="component-label">Shader Cores</div>
      <div class="core-grid">
        <div class="core"></div><div class="core"></div><div class="core"></div>
        <div class="core"></div><div class="core"></div><div class="core"></div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div class="gpu-component rt-cores" data-info="RT Cores: Dedicated hardware for ray tracing">
      <div class="component-label">RT Cores</div>
      <div class="rt-core"></div>
    </div>
    <div class="gpu-component tensor-cores" data-info="Tensor Cores: AI acceleration for DLSS and more">
      <div class="component-label">Tensor Cores</div>
      <div class="tensor-core"></div>
    </div>
    <div class="gpu-component vram" data-info="VRAM: High-speed memory for textures and buffers">
      <div class="component-label">24GB GDDR6X</div>
    </div>
    <div class="gpu-component memory-controller" data-info="Memory Controller: Manages VRAM access">
      <div class="component-label">Memory Controller</div>
    </div>
    <div class="gpu-component display-engine" data-info="Display Engine: Outputs video signal to monitors">
      <div class="component-label">Display Engine</div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="info-panel">
    <h4>Component Information</h4>
    <p id="component-info">Hover over components to learn more</p>
  </div>
</div>

Usage: Interactive diagram showing GPU architecture and component relationships

Live Preview

Shader Cores

RT Cores

Tensor Cores

24GB GDDR6X

Memory Controller

Display Engine

Component Information

Hover over components to learn more

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GPU Architecture & Performance Guide

NVIDIA RTX 4090

AMD RX 7900 XTX

NVIDIA RTX A6000

Intel Arc A770

GPU Key Specifications

CUDA Cores

Memory

Memory Bus

Clock Speed

TDP

Architecture

GPU Architecture & Design

GPU Architecture Diagram

Live Preview

Component Information