The Role Of GPU In High Performance Computing.

Utkarsh Jyani
7 min readDec 7, 2022

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Today’s computing requirements have changed drastically from just a decade ago. If you’re looking for more information on what the role of GPU is in high-performance computing, then this article contains an in-depth look at how they work and their importance to modern computing.
GPUs, or Graphics Processing Units, are specialized processors designed to handle the large number of calculations necessary to create and display images on a screen. They were originally created for the gaming industry, but their ability to handle complex calculations quickly has made them invaluable for other industries as well.

GPUs are often used in conjunction with CPUs, or Central Processing Units, in order to increase the speed of calculations. While CPUs are good at handling a few very complex calculations, GPUs can handle many thousands of simpler calculations simultaneously. This makes them ideal for tasks like image rendering, which require a large number of small calculations to be carried out simultaneously.

The use of GPUs in high-performance computing is relatively new, but they are already having a significant impact. Many of the world’s fastest supercomputers now make use of GPUs to speed up their calculations. For example, the Tianhe-2 supercomputer in China uses NVIDIA Tesla K40c GPUs to achieve its record-breaking performance.

GPUs are also being used more and more for machine learning applications. This is because they are particularly well suited to the kind of parallel processing that is required for this sort of task. As machine learning becomes increasingly important for tasks like facial recognition and autonomous driving, the use of GPUs is likely to increase even further.

What are GPU’s?

Graphics processing units (GPUs) are known for their ability to render high-quality graphics and images. However, GPUs can also be used for other types of computation, such as scientific or general purpose computing.

GPUs are well suited for high performance computing (HPC) because they can provide a high degree of parallelism. This means that they can perform multiple calculations at the same time, which can lead to a significant speedup in computation time.

To understand how GPUs work, it is first necessary to understand how a CPU works. A CPU consists of a number of cores, each of which can execute a single thread at a time. In contrast, a GPU has thousands of cores that can execute multiple threads simultaneously. This parallelism enables the GPU to perform many more operations than the CPU in a given period of time.

In addition, GPUs typically have much higher memory bandwidth than CPUs, which means they can access data from memory much faster. This is important for HPC applications that require large amounts of data to be processed quickly.
GPUs are used in a variety of HPC applications, such as scientific computing, machine learning, and image processing.
In scientific computing, GPUs can be used to accelerate the performance of simulations and calculations. For example, GPUs can be used to simulate the behavior of particles in a nuclear reactor or to calculate the properties of materials.

In machine learning, GPUs can be used to speed up the training of neural networks. Neural networks are a type of machine learning algorithm that are used to learn from data. Training a neural network typically requires a large amount of data and can take many hours or even days on a CPU. However, training can be accelerated using a GPU, which can reduce the training time to a matter of hours or even minutes.

In image processing, GPUs can be used to speed up the rendering of images. For example, when rendering a 3D scene, each frame may require hundreds or even thousands of calculations on a CPU. However, with a GPU these calculations can be performed much faster, which results in a smooth and realistic looking image.
GPUs are also used in a variety of other HPC applications, such as weather modeling and video encoding.

Why are they used in HPC?

GPUs are used for high performance computing because they can provide a significant boost to computational power. By using GPUs, more computationally intensive tasks can be completed in a shorter amount of time. This is especially beneficial for scientific and engineering applications that require large amounts of data to be processed quickly.

GPUs can also be used to improve the performance of certain types of algorithms. For example, by using GPUs it is possible to perform matrix operations much faster than could be done on a CPU. This can be extremely helpful for machine learning and other data-intensive tasks. Additionally, GPUs can be used to speed up the rendering of 3D graphics, making them ideal for use in video games and other visually demanding applications.
Overall, GPUs offer a significant increase in performance over CPUs for many types of applications. This makes them essential for high performance computing.

How do they work?

GPUs are designed to be efficient at parallel processing, meaning they can split up a task into smaller pieces and work on them all at the same time. This makes them perfect for tasks like video rendering, which require a lot of processing power but can be broken down into smaller chunks.

In HPC, GPUs can be used for a variety of tasks including scientific computing, data analysis and machine learning. They can also be used to accelerate applications that would otherwise be bottlenecked by the CPU.

GPUs work in conjunction with the CPU to provide the extra processing power needed for HPC. The two types of processors share memory and tasks can be assigned to either processor depending on which is best suited for the task at hand. This allows for a high degree of flexibility and means that HPC systems can be customised to suit the needs of the application.
GPUs can also be used for general purpose computing, meaning they can be used for any task that can be parallelised. This makes them ideal for a wide range of applications including big data and machine learning.

What are the benefits?

GPUs offer a number of advantages over traditional CPUs when it comes to HPC.

First, GPUs are much more efficient at parallel processing than CPUs. This means that they can provide a significant performance boost for applications that can be parallelised.

Second, GPUs offer a higher degree of flexibility than CPUs. This is because they can be used for general purpose computing as well as HPC. This means that they can be used for a wide range of applications, not just those that require a lot of processing power.

Third, GPUs are becoming increasingly popular in HPC due to their energy efficiency. CPUs require a lot of power to run at full capacity, but GPUs are designed to be more efficient. This means that systems using GPUs can often provide the same performance as those using CPUs while using less power.

What are the benefits of Gpu over traditional CPU?

There are many benefits of using a GPU over a traditional CPU when it comes to high performance computing. GPUs are able to process large amounts of data much faster than CPUs, and they are also more efficient at handling parallel tasks. This makes them ideal for use in supercomputers and other high-performance computing applications.

GPUs also offer some advantages over CPUs when it comes to power consumption. They are typically more energy-efficient, which can lead to lower operating costs. Additionally, they generate less heat, which can be important in data center environments where cooling costs can be high.
Finally, GPUs tend to be more affordable than CPUs, making them a more attractive option for many organizations.

Conclusion

GPUs play a vital role in high performance computing by providing the processing power needed to handle complex computations. By understanding how GPUs work and how they can be used, you can harness their power to boost your own computing capabilities. Whether you’re looking to improve your personal computing setup or build a powerful supercomputer, incorporating GPUs into your plans is sure to give you the edge you need.
GPUs have become increasingly popular in recent years as the demands of computing have grown. Many businesses and organizations now rely on GPUs to power their high performance computing needs. By understanding how GPUs work and how they can be used, you can ensure that your own computing setup is as powerful as it can be. Whether you’re looking to improve your personal computing setup or build a powerful supercomputer, incorporating GPUs into your plans is sure to give you the edge you need.

What is the future of GPU for HPC?

GPUs are constantly evolving and becoming more powerful. As the demand for HPC increases, so does the need for GPUs that can handle the large amounts of data and processing required. GPUs are becoming more efficient and faster, which means they are able to handle more complex computations. The future of GPU for HPC is very promising, as they will continue to become more powerful and essential for high-performance computing.
What is the future of CPU for HPC?

CPUs are also constantly evolving and becoming more powerful. As the demand for HPC increases, so does the need for CPUs that can handle the large amounts of data and processing required. CPUs are becoming more efficient and faster, which means they are able to handle more complex computations. The future of CPU for HPC is very promising, as they will continue to become more powerful and essential for high-performance computing.

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