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ycp

So when a GPU receives work/instructions, how does that affect that actual graphics processing? Are the completely separated? What happens when the GPU receives computational instructions and instructions to produce graphics at the same time?

kayvonf

To my knowledge, modern GPU implementation time multiplex the GPU between executing compute mode programs and graphics mode programs. (They run compute mode program, then the driver context switches to a graphics one much like how an OS context switches processes onto a CPU.) Going forward, GPUs will evolve to be able to run graphics work and compute mode work concurrently. (I may be wrong, and it might be possible to already do so on the latest GPUs today. Someone should try and figure that out.)