# GPU

Concept · [Building with AI](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/ai)

Also called: GPUs, graphics processing unit, graphics card, compute, AI chip, AI chips

Graphics processing unit. A computer chip built to do a very large number of small calculations at the same time. Training and running [AI models](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/model) is that kind of work, so GPUs do it much faster than ordinary processors.

**For example:** A [developer](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/software-engineer) tries to run a large model on a laptop without a GPU and waits a long time for each answer. On a [server](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/server) with GPUs the same model answers quickly.

## Connects to (12)

- [Inference](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/inference): An AI model producing an answer to a request.
- [Training](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/training): Teaching an AI model by showing it a very large number of examples before anyone uses it.
- [Local model](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/local-model): A model that is downloaded and run on a person's own computer or a company's own servers, not on a provider's.
- [Data center](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/data-center): A building that houses the computers, storage and network equipment that run online services, along with the power and cooling they need.
- [NVIDIA](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/nvidia): NVIDIA makes GPUs, chips that help computers train AI models and run them to produce answers.
- [Parameters](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/parameters): The values a model learns during training.
- [Apple Silicon](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/apple-silicon): Apple's own family of chips used in Mac computers and iPads.
- [Deep learning](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/deep-learning): Machine learning using neural networks with many layers.
- [LM Studio](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/lm-studio): A free desktop app for downloading open AI models and running them on a person's own computer, with a chat window and a local API.
- [CUDA](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/cuda): NVIDIA's platform for writing software that runs on its GPUs.
- [NVIDIA Inception](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/nvidia-inception): NVIDIA's free program for AI startups.
- [AMD](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/amd): A chip company that makes processors for computers and servers and AI accelerators for data centers.

Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/gpu