Thomas Alsop
Research expert covering the global hardware industry
Graphics processing units (GPUs) - statistics & facts
No longer just about gaming, the graphics processing unit (GPU) market has morphed into the battleground for the future of AI, data centers, and high-performance computing. With the demand for generative AI skyrocketing, the need for powerful GPUs for training and inference has risen. As a result, industry giants such as Nvidia, AMD, and Intel have led the way, powering the AI revolution that has gripped the world.
Nvidia’s rise to the top
Nvidia's early recognition of AI's potential and its GPU technology has secured its dominance in the AI chip market. The company, once with a focus on GPUs for the gaming markets, has shifted its strategy toward products designed to be deployed within data center environments. Data centers are vital for AI development, offering the large-scale computing power and storage needed to train and run complex AI models. Their scalability, flexibility, and energy efficiency allow AI firms to optimize operations. And, in accordance with this, it is no surprise that the likes of Microsoft, ByteDance, and Tencent have acquired vast numbers of Nvidia’s Hopper GPUs as they each look to accelerate AI developments.GPUs are also deployed across a variety of devices
GPUs are made available either as integrated or discrete components. Integrated graphics, where Intel dominates, refers to a computer where the GPU is built onto the same die as the central processing unit (CPU). The GPU is not part of the CPU in a discrete component and has a dedicated memory and power supply. They can also be referred to as a graphics add-in-board, or AIB, with Nvidia and AMD having dominant control of this market. In smartphones and other mobile devices, GPUs feature as part of a system-on-chip, or SoC, and can render graphics and help complete AI tasks on the device.A competitive future
Looking ahead, Nvidia’s next GPU releases in the form of Blackwell, and further ahead, Rubin, are set to underscore its dominance in AI. Nonetheless, with its traditional competitors as well as emerging players continuing to innovate across the GPU and AI accelerator spaces, the market is likely to remain dynamic, further fueled by the sustained demand for AI.Thomas Alsop
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May 5, 2025
Thomas Alsop
Research expert covering the global hardware industry
