A discrete graphics processing unit. Unlike integrated graphics that share the main CPU die and system RAM, a dGPU is a separate chip mounted on its own board or soldered separately onto the motherboard. It utilizes dedicated high-speed VRAM and draws significantly more power, providing the compute muscle needed for heavy rendering or machine learning workloads.
The thermal limit on this laptop chassis means the dGPU throttles hard under sustained load.
Also heard as
- discrete GPU
Related terms
Graphics processing unit
A specialized processor designed to rapidly manipulate memory to accelerate image creation.
iGPU
An integrated graphics processing unit is a graphics core embedded directly inside the central processing unit.
Motherboard
The main printed circuit board in a computer or complex electronic system routes power and data between major components.