LexBrew
Usage Entry 1477 / 1605 60-second read

CPU vs. GPU

A general-purpose processor versus a parallel processor optimised for graphics/maths.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

The GPU runs the operating system.

✓ Correct

The CPU runs the operating system — sequential general-purpose tasks. The GPU is a parallel processor designed originally for graphics, now also used for ML.

The ruleii

CPU = general. GPU = parallel.

CPU: Central Processing Unit — small number of fast, general-purpose cores; runs the OS, applications, sequential code. GPU: Graphics Processing Unit — thousands of slower cores running in parallel; great for graphics and matrix maths (hence ML).

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

CPU = brain. GPU = many hands.

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