Configurable GPU and method for graphics processing using a configurable GPU

A method of operating a graphics processing unit, said method comprising:

• implementing single-ended communication with a frame buffer memory using a single-ended interface of said graphics processing unit;
• in a first configuration of said graphics processing unit, implementing a PCI-Express interface between a graphics processing core of said graphics processing unit and a computer system;
• in a second configuration of said graphics processing unit, implementing a first interface between said graphics processing core and said computer system;
• in said second configuration of said graphics processing unit, implementing a second interface between said graphics processing core and a device;
• and
• wherein said implementing said first interface and said implementing said second interface are performed simultaneously.

A computer system comprising:

• a motherboard;
• a central processing unit;
• system memory;
• frame buffer memory;
• and
• a graphics processing unit comprising:
• a graphics processing core;
• a single-ended interface for implementing single-ended communication with said frame buffer memory;
• and
• a differential interface having a first portion and a second portion, wherein in a first configuration said first portion and said second portion are operable to implement a PCI-Express interface between said graphics processing core and a computer system, wherein in a second configuration said first portion is operable to implement a first interface between said graphics processing core and said computer system, wherein in said second configuration said second portion is operable to implement a second interface between said graphics processing core and a device, and wherein said differential interface is operable to simultaneously implement said first interface and said second interface in said second configuration.