John Carmack, one of the legendary names in game engines, came up with an interesting vision about the future of GPUs. Carmack suggested that modern GPUs have the potential to run completely independently without the need for a CPU. According to him, GPUs will be able to handle all computing tasks except graphics processing. But is this really possible?

John Carmack says that GPU-based computers are the future: But is a world without CPUs possible?

First, Carmack cited the example of SLI (Scan-Line Interleave) technology used in the past, reminding us once again how efficient it is to combine GPUs to create a unified processing power. In particular, he noted that the system introduced with 3DFX’s Voodoo2 cards doubles the pixel rate by connecting two graphics cards with a simple cable.

However, due to the technical limitations of modern graphics engines, this technology lost popularity over time. Carmack says he envisions what he calls “GPU chains” to eliminate the dependency of GPUs on CPUs. In this system, GPUs could be directly powered and communicate with each other and perform complex operations beyond graphics, such as machine learning.

Moreover, a lightweight operating system such as Linux could be integrated into this structure, creating a completely independent computing infrastructure. As radical as this idea is, it also demonstrates Carmack’s deep passion for technology and innovative thinking. Whether GPUs will evolve and replace the CPU in the future is still up for debate.

But do you think Carmack’s vision could become a reality? How might a GPU-oriented computing world shape technology? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.