Why Are GPUs Fast or Slow - A Trip Through the Driver Stack

Explore the intricacies of GPU performance and driver stack in this informative conference talk. Gain a comprehensive understanding of GPU hardware, its differences from traditional CPUs, and the various components of the GPU driver stack up to user-visible APIs like EGL, OpenGL, and Vulkan. Learn why GPUs sometimes fall short of performance expectations and discover potential solutions. Delve into topics such as GPU hardware, drivers, display composition, pipelining, and latency reduction. Acquire valuable insights to avoid performance pitfalls and maximize GPU acceleration potential when developing applications. Understand how the graphics stack integrates with the broader Linux ecosystem, enhancing your ability to optimize GPU utilization in your projects.

Intro
Magic?
Deep down (the memory lane)
Throughput over latency
GPU hardware
GPU drivers
Display composition
Display pipelining
Display latency reduction (failed)
Bonus: fences