# GPU user guide

***Copyright © Quectel Wireless Solutions Co., Ltd. 2026. All rights reserved.***

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# What is GPU

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is a chip in the device dedicated to "drawing" and "computing images". The CPU is responsible for "thinking" — processing logic and running programs. The GPU is responsible for "drawing" — rendering content into images displayed on the screen. The RK3576 integrates an ARM Mali-G52 MC3 GPU (up to 900 MHz). The desktop interface, video playback, and 3D games all rely on it for rendering.

# Where the GPU Works in Daily Use

| **Scenario** | **What the GPU Does** |
| --- | --- |
| Desktop interface | Window compositing, animation transitions, app switching |
| Video playback | Color processing and scaling of video frames |
| Web browsing | Web content compositing, scrolling rendering |
| 3D apps/games | 3D scene rendering |
| Video conferencing | Video effects, virtual backgrounds |

The M2 Debian desktop (GNOME) uses GPU compositing rendering by default. The GPU works all the time during daily operations; no manual enabling is required.

# Using the GPU on M2

## Scenario 1: Video Playback (GPU Rendering Output)

Use GStreamer to play video, with frames rendered by the GPU to the screen (Wayland):

```bash
# Play the onboard test video (hardware decode + GPU rendering display)
gst-launch-1.0 filesrc location=/oem/SampleVideo_1280x720_5mb.mp4 ! \
  qtdemux ! h264parse ! mppvideodec ! waylandsink

# Desktop environment variables (GNOME user session)
export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/run/user/1000 WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-0
```

Normal playback display indicates the GPU rendering pipeline works correctly.

## Scenario 2: Running GPU Performance Test (glmark2)

glmark2 is an OpenGL performance benchmark. The score reflects overall GPU performance:

```bash
# Install
sudo apt install glmark2-wayland

# Run in the desktop session (M2 / Debian)
XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/run/user/1000 WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-0 glmark2-wayland
```

M2 measured score: **745** (all items). Observe GPU frequency changes while running:

```bash
watch -n1 cat /sys/class/devfreq/27800000.gpu/cur_freq
# Frequency rises from 300MHz to 900MHz during benchmark
```

## Scenario 3: Writing Your Own OpenGL Program (Development)

The M2 Mesa Panfrost driver supports OpenGL ES 3.1 and Desktop GL 3.1. You can develop with standard OpenGL:

```bash
# Install development libraries
sudo apt install libgl1-mesa-dev libegl1-mesa-dev libgles2-mesa-dev

# Compile GLES program (es2gears as example)
sudo apt install mesa-utils-extra
es2gears
```

If the program reports "Could not initialize canvas", there is no available graphics session — you need to log in to the GNOME desktop first.

# FAQ

| **Problem** | **Solution** |
| --- | --- |
| 3D programs report "Could not initialize canvas" | Log in to the GNOME desktop first; SSH without a desktop session cannot run it |
| Desktop lag / frame drops | Check GPU frequency: cat /sys/class/devfreq/27800000.gpu/cur_freq |
| Desktop GL programs cannot run on SMARC | SMARC only supports GLES 3.2; use the GLES version or switch to M2 |
| GPU overheating | RK3576 GPU heats up under full load; pay attention to heat dissipation |