On: Caffe2 adds 16 bit floating point training support on the NVIDIA Volta platform

[BugsJustFindMe]

I understand the pedigree of these cards, but at what point do we stop calling them GPUs and start calling them something else? MPU? TPU? I don't know, but isn't it a little bit weird to keep using the word "graphics" for something that is being made more and more specifically for other things?

[joelthelion → BugsJustFindMe]

I don't see the point of adding to the confusion. They've been called GPUs for ever, everybody agrees on the term, why not continue to use it?

[DaiPlusPlus → joelthelion]

I like the term "GPGPU" (General-Purpose Graphics Processing Unit) as it's at least explicit about its general-usefulness.

[intoverflow2 → DaiPlusPlus]

It's the exact opposite of general purpose though, it's several specific purposes.

[kajecounterhack → intoverflow2]

No, it's several specific purposes that heavily use the provided general primitives. There's nothing stopping more things from using it, which makes it general.

You don't call your PC a specific purpose computer just because all you do is use google chrome.

[function_seven → DaiPlusPlus]

Eh, that seems like it’s intended for general purpose graphics (i.e. 2D business applications vs “special purpose” 3D, gaming, VR, etc.)

[roel_v → function_seven]

No. For many years now, gpgpu has meant 'using gpu's for non-graphics calculations'.

[function_seven → roel_v]

Understood. I’m just commenting on the name in a vacuum. If it’s supposed to mean use for non-graphics calculations, it’s confusing to have “graphics” in the name.

[tome → BugsJustFindMe]

Nvidia rep: "Our latest MPU will train your models lots faster".

Potential customer: "What's an MPU?"

N: "Oh, it's the same thing we used to call a GPU"

P: "Why did you change the name?"

N: "Because it's a little bit weird to keep using the word 'graphics' for something that is being made more and more specifically for other things"

P (puzzled, and marginally less likely to make a purchase): "Oh right"

[timdorr → BugsJustFindMe]

You can still call it a GPU, but that now stands for General Processing Unit. It pairs well with CPU, being the Central Processing Unit in the center of the entire machine and GPUs being added for additional processing capability.