3 ms·
Why do we still call those processors GPU when they are not meant to process graphics?
by prmoustache 3y ago
Why do we still call those processors GPU when they are not meant to process graphics?
- ru552 3y agoA GPU specializes in Vector math, which is what is used in gaming graphics. Hence the name Graphics Processing Unit and it's original use case. It just so happens that LLMs are powered by vector math much like graphics applications are.
- prmoustache 3y agoSo it should be called VMPU then, not GPU.
- tzhenghao 3y agoGood point. "AI accelerators" is a thing now that competes directly with "GPUs used for AI as its sole purpose".
- pixelpoet 3y agoCPUs are also arguably not the centre of processing in such systems.
- ioedward 3y agoThe technical term is GPGPU, general-purpose computing on GPUs, but I like to call them GPUs for short.
- moffkalast 3y agoSo, a GPPU.