Whats the difference between a cpu and a gpu?

Question

Are they the same component? Can I update my gpu without updating my cpu?

Answer 1

The CPU is the processor

The GPU is the graphics card.

Yes, you can update the gpu without updating the cpu

Answer 2

CPU is the main processor which processes mathematical algorithms and controls all of the computers different resources.

GPU is the Graphics Processor which is commonly found as a card-slot (PCI, PCIe, AGP).

As long as your CPU is not ancient and your new GPU is not too extreme, you can update the GPU without changing the CPU.

Answer 3

The GPU is designed for intense calculation of numbers needed to render graphics, A CPU is general purpose; it is far behind a GPU in some areas, like floating point, but surpasses it in most others.

The GPU is usually located on a video card. You can upgrade the GPU by installing a newer video card.  

Answer 4

CPU = Central Processing Unit (does the calculations in your Computer)

GPU = Graphics Processing Unit (allows you to view 3d applications, games, videos, pictures, and such)

Yes you can upgrade the GPU without upgrading the CPU, they are 2 different components.

Answer 5

A GPU (graphics processing unit) is a card in your computer with a special kind of processor that is really good with creating images and it therefore enables you to edit and play video and games better, a CPU is a chip that is attached to your motherboard and is more universal, it handles most applications that don't center around images. They are completely independent pieces of hardware and can be upgraded separately. If you post your computer specifications and what you plan to be using the computer for I could give you a few recommendations.

A CPU looks like

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage....

A GPU looks like

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage....  

Answer 6

a cpu comes from a computer