Graphics Processing Unit

Name given to any graphics chip used by video cards that incorporates lightning and transform (L&T) functions. In the old days these functions were performed by the system's CPU. From GeForce 256 on these functions shifted from the system's CPU to the graphics chip. Since then the 3D performance of a PC is not dependant on the math co-processor embedded on the CPU anymore (which is called FPU, Float Point Unit).