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Created March 29, 2026 14:09
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GPU API
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gpu-api.md

GPU API Overview Table (sorted by year, newest first)

API Type Platform Vendor Level Primary Use Year
WebGPU Graphics + Compute Web browsers Khronos Group Low-level Next-gen web GPU 2023
MoltenVK Translation Apple platforms Khronos Group N/A Vulkan on Metal 2018
Direct3D 12 Graphics Windows, Xbox Microsoft Low-level Modern game engines 2015
Vulkan Graphics + Compute Cross-platform Khronos Group Low-level Modern cross-platform rendering 2016
Metal Graphics + Compute macOS, iOS Apple Low-level Apple ecosystem apps/games 2014
Mantle Graphics Windows (deprecated) AMD Low-level Vulkan precursor 2013
WebGL Graphics Web browsers Khronos Group High-level Browser 3D graphics 2011
ANGLE Translation Cross-platform Google N/A OpenGL ES → other APIs 2010
Direct3D 11 Graphics Windows Microsoft High-level Legacy / simpler engines 2009
OpenCL Compute Cross-platform Khronos Group Medium General-purpose GPU compute 2009
DirectCompute Compute Windows Microsoft Low-level GPU compute via DirectX 2009
CUDA Compute NVIDIA GPUs NVIDIA Low-level AI, HPC, ML 2007
Glide Graphics Legacy 3dfx Interactive Low-level 90s games 1995
OpenGL Graphics Cross-platform Khronos Group High-level Legacy cross-platform rendering 1992
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