Hardware acceleration

Specialized computer hardware

Hardware acceleration is the use of computer hardware, known as a hardware accelerator, to perform specific functions faster than can be done by software running on a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU). Any transformation of data that can be calculated by software running on a CPU can also be calculated by an appropriate hardware accelerator, or by a combination of both. To perform computing tasks more efficiently, generally one can invest time and money in improving the software, improving the hardware, or both.

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