Difference between revisions of "Floating point processor"
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| − | A '''floating point processor''' or '''floating point unit''' was, until recently, an | + | A '''floating point processor''' or '''floating point unit''' was, until recently, an optional processor which allowed a computer to handle [[floating point]] numbers in [[hardware]]. (Now that [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] [[integrated circuit|chips]] typically contain extremely large numbers of [[transistor]]s, floating point is usually supported in them by default.). For a normal integer based CPU with a ALU ( Arithmetic Logic Unit ), Multiply instructions took many CPU cycles, because they had to be handled by repeated adds, ( similar to divides being handled by repeated subtractions ), FPUs could perform these operations in a few CPU cycles. |
In early machines, the hardware involved was a complete extra set of [[printed circuit board]]s; later on, with the rise of [[microprocessor]]s, it became an optional chip. | In early machines, the hardware involved was a complete extra set of [[printed circuit board]]s; later on, with the rise of [[microprocessor]]s, it became an optional chip. | ||
In [[architecture|architectural]] terms, it might be a [[co-processor]], or on [[microcode]]d machines, it might be extra microcode, sometimes along with some additional hardware to speed up some aspects of the computation. | In [[architecture|architectural]] terms, it might be a [[co-processor]], or on [[microcode]]d machines, it might be extra microcode, sometimes along with some additional hardware to speed up some aspects of the computation. | ||
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| + | Very recently, GPU ( Graphic Processing Units) have been able to handle floating point operations needed for AI, games, rendering and other math intensive tasks. | ||
[[Category: CPU Basics]] | [[Category: CPU Basics]] | ||
Revision as of 16:45, 1 April 2019
A floating point processor or floating point unit was, until recently, an optional processor which allowed a computer to handle floating point numbers in hardware. (Now that CPU chips typically contain extremely large numbers of transistors, floating point is usually supported in them by default.). For a normal integer based CPU with a ALU ( Arithmetic Logic Unit ), Multiply instructions took many CPU cycles, because they had to be handled by repeated adds, ( similar to divides being handled by repeated subtractions ), FPUs could perform these operations in a few CPU cycles.
In early machines, the hardware involved was a complete extra set of printed circuit boards; later on, with the rise of microprocessors, it became an optional chip.
In architectural terms, it might be a co-processor, or on microcoded machines, it might be extra microcode, sometimes along with some additional hardware to speed up some aspects of the computation.
Very recently, GPU ( Graphic Processing Units) have been able to handle floating point operations needed for AI, games, rendering and other math intensive tasks.
