What is GPU Parallel

Computing?
GPU parallel computing refers to a device’s ability to run
several calculations or processes simultaneously.
In this article, we will cover what a GPU is, break down GPU
parallel computing, and take a look at the wide range of
different ways GPUs are utilized.
What is a GPU?

GPU stands for graphics processing unit. GPUs were

originally designed specifically to accelerate computer
graphics workloads, particularly for 3D graphics. While they
are still used for their original purpose of accelerating graphics
rendering, GPU parallel computing is now used in a wide
range of applications, including graphics and video rendering.
GPU vs. CPU

GPU parallel computing makes GPUs different from CPUs

(central processing units). You can find CPUs in just about
every device you own. Built inside just about everything from
your smartphone to your thermostat, they are responsible for
processing and executing instructions. Think of them as the
brains of your devices.
CPUs are fast, but they work by quickly executing a series of
tasks, which requires a lot of interactivity. This is known
as serial processing.
GPU parallel computing is a type of computation in which
many calculations or processes are carried out simultaneously.
This is known as parallel processing and it is what makes
GPUs so fast and efficient.
A CPU consists of four to eight CPU cores, while GPU
parallel computing is possible thanks to hundreds of smaller
cores.
GPUs and CinPUs work together and GPU parallel computing
helps to accelerate some of the CPUs functions.
GPU Parallel Computing

As we covered above, GPU parallel computing is the ability to

perform several tasks at once. GPU Parallel computing enables
GPUs to break complex problems into thousands or millions
of separate tasks and work them out all at once instead of one-
by-one like a CPU needs to.
The GPU parallel computing ability is what makes GPUs so
valuable. It is also what makes them flexible and allows them
to be used in a wide range of applications, including graphics
and video rendering.
What Are GPUs Used For?

GPUs were invented to improve graphic rendering, but after

some time, people started to realize that GPU parallel
computing could also be used to accelerate a range of
scientific applications, not just graphics rendering. This made
them more flexible and programmable, enhancing their
capabilities.
Now, GPU parallel computing is used for a wide range of
different applications and can be helpful for any device that
needs to crunch a lot of data quickly.
Gaming

As we know, GPUs were created to accelerate graphic

rendering, which makes them ideal for advanced 2D and 3D
graphics, where lighting, textures, and the rendering of shapes
have to be done simultaneously in order to keep images
moving quickly across the screen.
As games become more and more computationally intensive,
with hyper-realistic graphics and vast, complex in-game
worlds, and screens require better resolution and higher refresh
rates, GPUs are able to meet the ever-growing visual demands.
This means that games can be played at higher resolution, or at
faster frame rates, or both.
GPUs have been valuable for gaming servers since their
inception, but that value is only increasing as we see a rise in
virtual reality gaming.
Machine Learning

GPUs are still used to drive and advance gaming graphics and
improve PC workstations, but their wide range of use has also
led them to become a large part of modern supercomputing.
Their high-performance computing (HPC) ability makes them
an ideal choice for machine learning, which is the science of
getting computers to learn and act as humans do. This can also
be known as deep learning.
With machine learning or deep learning, the goal is to get
computers to improve their learning over time in an
autonomous fashion. This is done via feeding them data and
information in the form of observations and real-world
interactions.
GPUs are useful for machine learning because they can
provide the bandwidth needed to accommodate large datasets
and enable the distribution of training processes, which can
significantly speed machine learning operations.
With this ability to perform many computations at once, GPUs
have become accelerators for speeding up all sorts of tasks
from encryption to networking to even artificial
intelligence (AI).
Video Editing and Content Creation

Prior to the invention of GPUs, graphic designers, video

editors, and other visually creative professionals were forced
to endure extremely long wait times for video rendering.
Not only would the visual elements take a long time to render,
but the resources required for the rendering would often slow
down a device’s other functions in the process.
Thanks to the parallel computing offered by GPUs, rendering a
video or high-quality graphic is now much quicker and
requires less of a device’s resources.
This improves the speed at which graphics are rendered and
enables users to do more while the rendering takes place.

How To Set Up vGPUs With OpenStack Nova

With Jacob Hipps, OpenMetal’s Principal Engineer

Want to explore GPU possibilities even further? Watch an
enlightening session that delves deep into the world of using
vGPUs with OpenStack Nova.
As an open source cloud computing platform, OpenStack
Nova serves as the bedrock for building and managing virtual
machines (VMs) in the cloud. Its flexible and scalable VM
provisioning, resource management, and access control
capabilities make it an indispensable project of the OpenStack
ecosystem for cloud infrastructure.
During this session at OpenInfra Summit 2023, Jacob delves
into the hardware requirements necessary to create a robust
vGPU infrastructure, from GPUs to CPUs, memory to storage.
By the end of this comprehensive session, you’ll have the
skills and confidence to leverage the power of vGPUs within
OpenStack Nova.

Why GPU Parallel Computing Matters to CEOs

Thanks to their ability to process loads of information quickly

and at once, GPUs are now becoming a popular choice for
executives. In fact, GPU parallel computing is now present in
a lot of data centers where CEOs and CTOs are finding that
GPUs provide a host of advantages over their CPU
counterparts.
More Powerful

For starters, GPUs are more powerful than CPUs. They have
more cores, more computing power, and the ability to run
several calculations or processes simultaneously instead of one
at a time like CPUs.
More Efficient

Because GPUs can execute several tasks at once, they are

typically more efficient.
That means when it comes to data centers, they will require far
less floor space than CPUs.
More Flexible and Scalable

All of these advantages that GPUs deliver can be applied to

storage, networking, and security functions, making them
perfect for the flexibility and scalability needed to
accommodate growing data centers.
As data centers grow, GPUs enable them to expand
exponentially to provide a high-density, low-latency
experience without having to make massive hardware
upgrades.
The introductions of GPUs and their ability to run several
calculations and processes at once have changed computing as
we know it.
While CPUs continue to be useful for serial processing, GPU
parallel computing opens GPUs up to a multitude of uses.
Originally designed to speed up the rendering of graphics, it
wasn’t long before people noticed that their parallel computing
ability could be used for so many other purposes and
applications.
Now, GPUs are utilized regularly to enhance things like
gaming and machine learning, as well as in data centers, where
they improve power, speed, scalability.
In short, GPUs have become essential and will continue to be
used in areas where more computing power is needed.
Be on the lookout for new GPU Servers on our OpenMetal
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