GPU vs Graphics Card - [Detailed Comparison]

The components inside a computer are important, but the ones that are most important are the ones that control what you see on your screen. There are two main types of these components; GPU and graphics card. Most people don’t need to worry about what type of GPU or graphics card their computer has, but if you’re looking to buy a new one, it’s important to understand the difference. 

While they do similar things, there are some key differences between them. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at those differences so you can understand which one is right for you.

What is GPU?

GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit. A GPU is a dedicated processor that offloads and accelerates graphics rendering from the CPU. GPUs are typically used in computers where graphics are a major part of the user experience, such as gaming or video editing.

GPUs are designed to handle large numbers of simple tasks simultaneously. As a result of this parallel processing capability, they are well suited to the rendering of graphics.

What is a Graphics Card?

A graphics card is a type of expansion card that connects to the motherboard of a computer. Graphics cards contain a GPU and are used to generate images for display on a display device.

Graphics cards are often used in gaming computers, as they can provide a significant boost to the performance of games. They can also be used in video editing and other graphics-intensive applications.

12 Differences between GPU vs Graphics Card

1. Processor

The main difference between GPU and a graphics card is that GPU is a dedicated processor that offloads and accelerates graphics rendering from the CPU while a graphics card is a type of expansion card that connects to the motherboard of a computer.

A GPU is used to generate images on a display while a graphics card contains a GPU which is used for the same purpose. However, graphics cards also include video RAM (VRAM) and other additional features while GPUs do not typically have these features.

2. Functionality

GPUs are designed to handle large numbers of simple tasks simultaneously while graphics cards are primarily designed to generate images on a display. However, some graphics cards may also include features such as video processing and other functionality that can be used for tasks other than image generation.

3. Video RAM (VRAM)

Another difference between GPU and graphics card is that GPU does not contain video RAM while graphics card contains video RAM. Video RAM stores the graphical data that is being rendered by the GPU. More VRAM generally results in better performance as the GPU can store more data and doesn’t have to retrieve it from the main system memory as often.

4. Core clock speed

GPUs typically have a higher core clock speed than graphics cards. The core clock speed is the rate at which the GPU processes data. A higher clock speed means that the GPU can process data faster which results in better performance.

5. Number of cores

GPUs also typically have more cores than graphics cards. Cores are processing units that allow the GPU to handle more tasks simultaneously. More cores generally result in better performance as the GPU can handle more tasks at once.

6. Parallel processing capability

As GPUs are designed to handle large numbers of simple tasks simultaneously, they have a great parallel processing capability. This parallel processing capability is one of the main reasons why GPUs are used for graphics rendering.

7. Manufacturing process

GPUs are usually manufactured using a smaller manufacturing process than graphics cards. The smaller manufacturing process results in more transistors being able to fit onto the GPU die which can improve performance.

8. Cost

GPUs are typically more expensive than graphics cards. This is because GPUs are more complex devices with more features and higher performance potential.

9. Driver support

GPUs usually have better driver support than graphics cards. This is because GPUs are designed specifically for use with computers while graphics cards can be used with a variety of devices.

10. Power consumption

GPUs typically consume more power than graphics cards. This is because GPUs are more complex devices with more cores and a higher clock speed.

11. Heat output

GPUs also generate more heat than graphics cards. This is because GPUs are more complex devices with more cores and a higher clock speed. The increased heat output can result in lower performance as the GPU throttles itself to prevent damage from overheating.

12. Overclocking potential

GPUs usually have better overclocking potential than graphics cards. This is because GPUs are designed specifically for use with computers while graphics cards can be used with a variety of devices. Overclocking a GPU can result in increased performance as the GPU can be run at a higher clock speed.

Read: What Is The Best Monitor Response Time For Gaming?

Conclusion

Do you have any questions about GPUs or graphics cards? Let us know in the comments section and we’ll do our best to answer them. In the meantime, thanks for reading, and be sure to check out some of our other blog posts for more great tech information. Thank You for reading!