What's the Difference Between an APU, CPU, GPU, and an NPU? (2024)

Quick Links

  • Central Processing Unit (CPU)

  • Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

  • Accelerated Processing Unit (APU)

  • Neural Processing Unit (NPU)

Key Takeaways

  • CPUs are the core computing processors in a computer, handling everything from loading the OS to running heavy operations like gaming.
  • GPUs improve video performance by offloading graphics tasks from the CPU, which is especially important for gaming and video playback.
  • APUs combine CPU and GPU on a single chip to improve efficiency, while NPUs are special chips for AI and ML workloads.

Knowing the difference between the CPU, GPU, APU, and NPU is a considerable advantage when buying a new computer. It could even save you money. This is especially true if you plan to build your PC.

The four technologies are often grouped but perform separate roles. So, what exactly is the difference between a CPU, GPU, APU, and NPU?

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

What's the Difference Between an APU, CPU, GPU, and an NPU? (1)

The central processing unit, or CPU, is the main brain of the computer. In early computers, the CPU was spread across multiple chips. However, to improve efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs, the CPU is now contained on a single chip. These smaller CPUs are also referred to as microprocessors.

Reducing the CPU's footprint has also enabled us to design and produce smaller, more compact devices. Desktop computers can be found as all-in-one devices, laptops continue to get thinner yet more capable, and some smartphones are now more powerful than their traditional counterparts.

The CPU performs the core computing processes for your computer. Instructions stored in your device's RAM are sent to the CPU for execution. This is a three-part system consisting of Fetch, Decode, and Execute stages. Broadly, this means receiving inputs, understanding them, and creating the desired output.

Using this, your CPU aids everything from loading your operating system to opening programs and even performing spreadsheet calculations. Resource-heavy operations like video games place the most significant load on your CPU, which is why benchmarking tests are usually performed against gaming standards.

CPUs are available in many variants ranging from energy-efficient single-core chips to top-performance multicore chips. Intel uses its Hyper-Threading technology to make a quad-core CPU act as though it is an octa-core. This helps to squeeze the most power and efficiency from your CPU.

If this has piqued your interest in learning more, check out our guide to the CPU and its functions.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

What's the Difference Between an APU, CPU, GPU, and an NPU? (2)

For all the advances made with CPUs, they still have shortcomings, namely, graphics. CPUs take input and work through it in linear steps. However, graphics processing requires multiple data to be processed simultaneously. The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) reduces the strain on the CPU and improves video performance.

Most computers and laptops are equipped with a CPU and GPU, but this isn't always the case. Sometimes, especially at lower price ranges, your computer will come with integrated graphics instead of a dedicated GPU. If you aren't sure which setup you have, take a look at our comparison between integrated and dedicated graphics cards.

The GPU and CPU perform similar functions, but the way they do it differs. The GPU's parallel structure is specially adapted for its purpose. This helps the unit achieve the billions of calculations per second required for gaming and video playback. The GPU is often situated on a separate graphics card, which also has its own RAM.

This enables the card to store the data it generates. It's also thanks to this built-in RAM that the GPU can generate a buffer, storing completed images until you need to display them. This is particularly useful when watching videos, for example.

As these cards are easily replaced, they are often seen as one of the best upgrades you can make to your computer. High-performance graphics cards usually have a price tag to match. However, there are graphics cards for cheap gaming as well, giving an option for every budget.

Accelerated Processing Unit (APU)

What's the Difference Between an APU, CPU, GPU, and an NPU? (3)

To reduce physical size and manufacturing costs, manufacturers combine electronic components into single chips, known as System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

In this design, all the main electronics are combined into a single die. This enabled the growth of low-cost computing devices and smartphones. Alongside these SoC designs, ARM Holdings developed ARM processors, a mobile-first processing unit.

APUs follow the same integrated circuit design philosophy of SoCs that combines multiple chips of different functions into a single chip. However, unlike SoCs, APUs combine the CPU and GPU onto a single chip to form a combined processing unit. Not only does this reduce cost, but it improves efficiency, too. Minimizing the physical distance between the two enables faster data transfer and increased performance.

As GPUs are optimized for faster calculation speeds, the CPU can offload some work to the GPU. In a separate setup, the efficiency gains from this load sharing would be undermined by the physical distance and data transfer speeds between the two. However, the APU does make these gains possible.

Despite this, an APU doesn't give the same performance as a dedicated CPU and GPU. Instead, a dedicated CPU and GPU are best viewed as a step up from APUs. This makes APUs an affordable upgrade for those looking to update their PCs.

Processor manufacturer AMD coined the term APU to help differentiate between their line of processors with an integrated GPU. However, they weren't the only ones to combine processors in this way. Intel also began to integrate the CPU and GPU, too. Despite this, Intel has never used the term APU. They always refer to it plainly as a CPU with integrated graphics.

For a more detailed breakdown, take a look at our guide to the APU and what it does.

Neural Processing Unit (NPU)

What's the Difference Between an APU, CPU, GPU, and an NPU? (4)

An NPU is a special processor used for handling artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) workloads like speech recognition and object detection. NPUs can process large amounts of data in parallel, similar to a GPU, but they are better suited for AI and ML processing tasks.

Similar to how a GPU improves your device's video processing and rendering tasks, an NPU does so, but for AI and ML workloads. Besides the high processing capabilities, NPUs are better suited for AI and ML tasks because they can do so with higher efficiency and lower power consumption, unlike CPUs and GPUs.

GPUs are also being used for AI and ML processing tasks due to their parallel processing capabilities. However, NPUs are better suited due to their specialized hardware optimizations, which result in superior efficiency in neural network operations.

While an NPU might seem like a new term, these chips are already found on modern computers and smartphones. However, NPUs are gaining mainstream attention because of the AI boom. So, if you're in the market for a new PC or laptop, check out our deep dive into what an NPU is and how to compare NPU specs.

Now that we've covered the main processing units, you know there are many choices for your computer. If you opt for a separate CPU and GPU, you'll likely spend more but also gain more significant performance gains.

Selecting an APU is a compromise between budget and performance. If you're currently running with integrated graphics, an APU is a worthwhile upgrade that won't break the bank. Unlike CPUs and GPUs, you don't have much choice when selecting an NPU because it's typically integrated into the CPU, like Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors or Intel's Core Ultra processors.

What's the Difference Between an APU, CPU, GPU, and an NPU? (2024)

FAQs

What's the Difference Between an APU, CPU, GPU, and an NPU? ›

GPUs improve video performance by offloading graphics tasks from the CPU, which is especially important for gaming and video playback. APUs combine CPU and GPU on a single chip to improve efficiency, while NPUs are special chips for AI and ML workloads.

What is the difference between CPU and GPU and NPU? ›

While math coprocessors and GPUs have accelerated floating-point calculations and parallel processing of large data volumes, NPUs are designed to efficiently handle matrix multiplication and addition, essential for workloads associated with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), such as image ...

What is the difference between CPU and GPU and APU? ›

An APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) is a type of processor that combines both a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) onto a single chip. A CPU, on the other hand, is a standalone processor that is responsible for performing most of the computations and data processing in a computer.

What is the NPU in a CPU? ›

The neural processing unit (NPU) of a device has architecture that simulates a human brain's neural network. Learn how it pairs with AI and provides you with powerful advantages in this new era. It processes large amounts of data in parallel, performing trillions of operations per second.

What is the difference between NPU and tpu? ›

TPUs are powerful custom processors that can run projects made on a specific framework (i.e. TensorFlow). NPUs are hardware accelerators that are built to speed AI neural networks, DL and ML.

What is the difference between APU and NPU? ›

APUs combine CPU and GPU on a single chip to improve efficiency, while NPUs are special chips for AI and ML workloads.

What is the difference between CPU and GPU and CPU and GPU? ›

GPU cores are less powerful than CPU cores and have less memory. While CPUs can switch between different instruction sets rapidly, a GPU simply takes a high volume of the same instructions and pushes them through at high speed. As a result, GPU functions play an important role in parallel computing.

What is the difference between APU and GPU in aviation? ›

The utilization of ground power units (GPUs) allows the auxiliary power unit (APU) to be deactivated. Switching of the APU results in a decrease in airport noise and emissions, in addition to the reduction of fuel consumption and auxiliary power unit wear. The GPU is not sufficient for starting the aircraft engines.

Can I use a APU as a CPU? ›

No, APUs and CPUs are designed for different purposes and cannot be used interchangeably. APUs are specifically designed to provide both CPU and GPU functionality in a single chip, while CPUs are designed to provide only CPU functionality.

Is APU a GPU? ›

An APU is a type of microprocessor that combines traditional central processing unit (CPU) capabilities with graphics processing unit (GPU) functionality on a single chip.

What does NPU stand for? ›

The brain is a part of the nervous system and is responsible for piecing together stimuli received from our sensory organs, assessing the current situation, and issuing commands accordingly. There is a type of processor that works in very much the same way as the human brain, called the NPU or Neural Processing Unit.

What is an example of a NPU? ›

NPUs are becoming increasingly common in the PC and laptop domain. Intel's Core Ultra processors and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors are examples where NPUs are integrated alongside CPUs and GPUs.

What can I use an NPU for? ›

The idea behind the NPU is that it should be able to take the burden of running on-device AI off the CPU or GPU, allowing users to run AI programs, whether they're AI art generators or chatbots, without slowing down their PCs.

Will NPU replace CPU? ›

The Answer. So to answer the question, While NPUs are optimized for matrix operations and parallel processing, which are essential for deep learning, they are not a direct replacement for CPUs (Central Processing Units) and GPUs (Graphics Processing Units).

What is the difference between CPU, GPU, and TPU? ›

In conclusion, CPUs, GPUs, and TPUs are the cornerstones of modern computing. CPUs offer versatility and single-threaded performance, GPUs excel at parallel computing and graphics-intensive tasks, and TPUs are the go-to choice for accelerating machine learning and deep learning workloads.

Are NPU worth it? ›

“While GPUs possess greater processing power and versatility, NPUs are smaller, less expensive and more energy efficient. Counterintuitively, NPUs can also outperform GPUs in specific AI tasks due to their specialized architecture.

Are NPUs worth it? ›

“While GPUs possess greater processing power and versatility, NPUs are smaller, less expensive and more energy efficient. Counterintuitively, NPUs can also outperform GPUs in specific AI tasks due to their specialized architecture.

What is the difference between CPU and GPU neural network? ›

Unlike CPUs, which are optimized for sequential tasks, GPUs contain thousands of cores that can execute multiple computations simultaneously. This parallelism is crucial for handling the massive matrix multiplications and convolutions inherent in deep neural network operations.

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