System and method for scheduling operations in a graphics pipeline

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a scheduler comprising circuitry, a first operation to be executed by circuitry of a first fixed-function unit of a graphics pipeline;
• causing, by the scheduler, the first operation to be executed, and generate an output, by the first fixed-function unit;
• retrieving, by the scheduler responsive to a first mode of operation, the output from an output buffer corresponding to the graphics pipeline and configured to store data received from an end of the graphics pipeline;
• and
• retrieving, by the scheduler, the output from the first fixed-function unit instead of the output buffer, responsive to a second mode of operation.

A computing system comprising:

• a central processing unit comprising circuitry;
• a graphics processing unit comprising circuitry, the graphics processing unit comprising:
• a pipeline comprising one or more fixed-function units, each comprising circuitry;
• and
• a scheduler comprising circuitry configured to:
• receive a first operation to be executed by a first fixed-function unit of the pipeline;
• cause the first operation to be executed, and generate an output, by the first fixed-function unit;
• retrieve, responsive to a first mode of operation, the output from an output buffer corresponding to the pipeline, and configured to store data received from an end of the pipeline;
• and
• retrieve the output from the first fixed-function unit instead of the output buffer, responsive to a second mode of operation.