In 2009, Bitcoin became the first publicly-available proof-of-work (PoW) cryptocurrency. At first, you could "mine" Bitcoins using just the central processing unit of home computers. The mining process became quickly competitive, and faster Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) were used. Clusters of GPUs were built into machines created only for mining, and were eventually replaced by the much faster and energy-gulping application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

However, tokens can still be mined on GPUs, but they are nowhere near as fast as ✨ASICs. Read on to learn more about how GPUs were used in the blockchain space (and might be again).

How Do GPUs Help in Cryptocurrency Mining?

Cryptocurrency mining was originally performed only on home computers' central processing units (CPUs). However, CPUs cannot generate the immense number of hashes per second that GPUs can, so the mining programs were altered to use GPUs.

GPU-based mining offered the benefit of processing simple instructions in parallel with more cores, which made them much more efficﷺient than CPUs. GPUs are also equipped with a large number of Arithmetic Logic Units (ALU), which are responsible for performing mathematical computations (which is what hashing is). Courtesy of these ALUs, more cores, and parallel and single-task efficiency, GPUs are capable of performing more hashes than CPU, leading to improved output for crypto mining.

Because a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:mining device continuously tries to generate a hash repeatedly by cha꧑nging only one field in each attempt, mining is a simple task.

GPU vs. CPU

Each standard computer is equipped with a Central Processing Unit (CPU). It performs the controlling functions for the whole computer based on the logic of the operating system and the software installed on the comput🏅er. Typical functions—such as saving a file, printing a spreadsheet, or running non-graphic specific tasks—are controlled by the CPU (unless the CPU has an integrated GPU, which is less powerful than 𒉰dedicated GPUs).

The GPU is another processing device, but one that works to render three-dimensional graphics and process many operations during a single cycle. The typical function of a GPU is to perform and control the rendering of visual effects and 3D graphics so the CPU can focus on other tasks. It handles graphics-intensive tasks such as video editing, gaming display, and decoding and rendering 3D videos and animatio🅰ns.

To draw an analogy using a business, a manager (the CPU) or♚ganizes and coordinates tasks for the whole organization (the computer system) and has a dedicated, specialized employee (the GPU) in a specific department (video-rendering functions).

Future of GPUs and Blockchain

GPUs might still be useful in blockchain operations. Blockchain technology is being combined with artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), and GPUs are much better at processing the kind of information and tasks that AI/ML requires. For example, in partnership with IPwe, IBM created an AI-enabled blockchain that tracks and secures patents globally. This approach allows businesses and individuals to prove and retain ownership of their intellectual property while enhancing its liquidity.

GPUs are increasingly being designed to handle AI workloads, so it is inevitable that more applications and use cases will be created that combine blockchain, AI, and GPUs—once again giving them a role in blockchains.

The Bottom Line

At one time, GPUs were used to mine Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies that use a reward system to validate transactions and propose new blocks. However, they were replaced with ASICs o🌳nce interest in profits overwhelmed the interest in an open-source and public payment system.