While most of us are aware of abbreviations like CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), many are unaware of a relatively new term called APU that was added to the PC lexicon by AMD a few years ago. Simply speaking, an APU, or Accelerated Processing Unit, is AMD-speak for combined CPU and GPU chips on a single die. However, there’s much more to APUs than just sticking two separate circuits onto a single board. So, let’s check out the exact differences between a CPU, GPU and APU and what you need to know before your next laptop or desktop purchase.
Broadly speaking, the CPU takes care of application processing, while the GPU kicks in for all graphics-intensive workloads. An APU is the combination of the two, which means in theory, it should be able to do both jobs with aplomb. But is it really the magic potion that AMD would have us believe? Or is it just a marketing gimmick that doesn’t stand up to its promise in the real world? We will discuss just that in this article, but before we get to APUs, we’ll need to understand why such a solution was necessitated in the first place.
- What is a CPU?
- What is a GPU?
- What is an APU?
- Benefits of an APU
- Drawbacks of an APU
- APU vs GPU: Which is Better?
- Latest AMD APUs
- AMD APUs vs Dedicated GPUs: And the Winner is …
What is a CPU?
Often described as the ‘brain’ of a PC, the CPU is, quite possibly, the single-most crucial component in a computer. It is the part that performs all of the core processes in smart devices, including all the number crunching, information sequencing, and problem solving. Broadly speaking, this includes loading the operating system, running programs and applications, performing spreadsheet calculations, and more. Some noted microprocessor-makers for consumer devices include Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments etc.
What is a GPU?
A GPU is responsible for spatial, images, videos, and 3D processing duties in smart devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets. These are specialized chips designed for heavy graphics workloads, like gaming or running professional CAD (Computer-aided Design) and CGI (Computer-generated Imagery) applications.
An APU is also technically a standard all-purpose microprocessor, but with one notable exception. It comes with an integrated on-board GPU that makes it better at graphics processing than traditional CPUs. Simply put, an APU is a microprocessor that includes both the CPU and GPU on a single chip.
The term, APU, was coined by AMD a few years ago when it launched its ‘Llano’ processors back in 2011, but the idea itself is quite old. It is worth noting that many of Intel’s low-end and mid-range CPUs also come with Integrated Graphics Processors (IGP). That said, the AMD APUs are much better at handling graphics-intensive workloads than those Intel chips.
Integrating the graphics processor on the same chip as the application processor has multiple benefits pertaining to costs, power efficiency, easier setups, less driver updates, and more.
What are the Drawbacks of an APU?
As we mentioned already, an APU may work well for gamer on a shoestring budget, but will leave power users clamoring for more. To put is simply, here are the reasons why you might want to stay away from an all-in-one solution for your PC:
APU vs GPU: Which is Better in Terms of Value?
While APUs are more power efficient and are often significantly cheaper than setups that include separate CPUs and GPUs, they just don’t measure up to dedicated graphics cards in terms of gaming or 3D rendering operations. That said, APUs are still a good compromise for most regular users, including casual gamers, who don’t need to perform graphics-intensive tasks on a regular basis.
Latest AMD APUs
AMD’s current Ryzen APU lineup includes the Ryzen 3 3200G with Vega 8 graphics and the Ryzen 5 3400G with Vega 11 graphics. The company has also announced Ryzen 4000-series APUs that are said to be even better at gaming, but they are only available for OEMs and not for DIY enthusiasts. Be that as it may, you can check out the key tech specs of the 3000-series chips in the table below:
Similarly, we have also added separate list of CPUs and GPUs below for reference.
List of Latest GPUs
AMD APUs vs Dedicated GPUs: And the Winner is …
As mentioned already, whether you want to buy a PC with a dedicated graphics card or try out a cheaper alternative powered by an APU will depend on your budget and usage. If you’re a hardcore gamer, graphics designer or video editor, you’ll be better served by a high-end gaming PC or workstation with a standalone GPU. For most other users, a decent APU is all you’ll need in your computer to do all the basic everyday tasks and even indulge in some casual gaming without any issues.
