What is a GPU Dedicated Server?

For as long as there have been servers, there have been those who have needed more processing power to push the server to its limits.

Whether you’re a business owner, crypto miner, or someone who runs machine learning applications, the right server processing technology can make or break you.

Enter the GPU dedicated server.

Server applications have traditionally run off of the processing power of the same style of CPUs that make up a standard desktop computer.  But as graphics cards became more sophisticated, developers soon realized that the processing power of a graphics card or “GPU” was more efficient at handling the task than a standard CPU.

While these setups are typically more expensive than simply using CPUs for a task, they can output much more work.

What Makes GPUs More Powerful

GPUs are a popular option for improving the operational power of a dedicated server. But what is it that makes them so powerful?

3D Processing Means Powerful Processors

GPUs were originally designed to crunch the numbers required to process graphics for design and video game tasks. For the uninitiated, this is actually a monstrous task.

Calculating vectors, atmospheric effects, lighting, and physics for video games means a lot of math. Calculations have to be done at extremely high speeds, and that takes a processor that can work on multiple calculations at the same time.

Putting one of these into a server instead of using a CPU to process the data means you have much more focused processing power.

Increasing Speed In A Better Way

CPUs famously use caching to help them cope with multiple, concurrent operations. They do this in order to reduce latency, but the process relies on the CPU waiting for RAM to free up before it moves on to the task-in-waiting. This isn’t actually foolproof.

GPUs, on the other hand, have the benefit of being a bigger, fully-integrated component that brings with it its own cache memory. This means that, while one operation is caching, the processor can move on to one on a different thread.

GPUs are also comprised of hundreds of smaller cores instead of a few very complex cores. They are able to utilize thousands of concurrent hardware threads and can be maximized for floating point throughput. This makes them perfect for performing many small operations involved in machine learning or cryptocurrency mining when compared to a CPU.

Think of it as two cooks racing each other to make a sandwich the quickest, only one of them has one arm, and the other has two. While both are skilled and will finish the task, one of them is going to get the job done quicker, if only by virtue of being able to do two things at once.

Better Power Consumption

Assuming your workload is a good fit for GPU processing, GPUs tend to be more efficient per watt compared to the same workload on a CPU.

The benefits of better energy consumption aren’t only important to companies that lean towards being eco-conscious.

Energy efficiency is one of the biggest challenges facing modern businesses. Cutting down, properly, can save you thousands of dollars in operational costs, per year. And what saves businesses money works for individuals, as well.

With energy-efficient GPU-equipped systems, you’ll use less energy to accomplish the same amount of work (and more). This means lower costs, which has obvious benefits for you.

Just keep in mind that if your application is not suited for a GPU, you won’t see much energy savings if the task is better suited for a CPU.

Experience The Benefits Of A GPU Dedicated Server

Whether you are looking to increase the efficiency of your neural network, establish a new machine learning application, or mine cryptocurrency, a GPU dedicated server is likely the best fit for your needs.

Despite the fact they were developed to process graphics, GPUs are completely at home in a dedicated server installation.

GPUs provide users with incredibly efficient processing power for certain tasks, and their ability to handle many small processes at the same time may make them a much better choice than a CPU.

Interested in learning more about servers, both dedicated and otherwise? Check out some of our other fantastic blog pieces on the topic, and get a better handle on your server needs, today!