A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a single-chip processor primarily used to manage and boost the performance of video and graphics. GPU features include

• 2-D or 3-D graphics
• Digital output to flat panel display monitors
• Texture mapping
• Application support for high-intensity graphics software such as AutoCAD
• Rendering polygons
• Support for YUV color space
• Hardware overlays
• MPEG decoding

These features are designed to lessen the work of the CPU and produce faster video and graphics.

A GPU is not only used in a PC on a video card or motherboard; it is also used in mobile phones, display adapters, workstations and game consoles.

This term is also known as a visual processing unit (VPU).