Pongsagon Vichit, an independent ASIC and FPGA designer, has demonstrated that his TinyGPU v2.0 silicon is capable of rendering a dynamic 3D globe. It can also respond to real-time control from a game controller. This compact chip, made possible through the Tiny Tapeout SKY 25b shuttle, contains approximately 240,000 transistors. It has met real-world testing benchmarks. Vichit shared the successful outcome on social media. The message was: “ASIC TinyGPU v2.0 is alive and working!!!” The announcement has sparked excitement in the community. It marks a major step forward in the development of ultra-small graphics processors.
Despite its diminutive size, TinyGPU v2.0 offers advanced functionality for a chip of its scale. It performs transformation, lighting, and rasterization, and can display up to 1,000 triangles on the screen at once. Vichit also implemented a 4-bit double buffer and an 8-bit depth buffer, both stored in QSPI RAM. These features are essential for managing frame updates and depth information in real-time 3D rendering, ensuring better performance and visual quality.
Next-Gen Features for TinyGPU
The success of TinyGPU v2.0 has already raised expectations for the next iteration, which promises a more substantial improvement in graphics capabilities. The upcoming TinyGPU v3.0 introduces a programmable pixel shader, an advanced feature typically found in more powerful GPUs. This new component is inspired by DirectX 8 PS 1.1 and will allow the processing of four pixels at once. The design includes 31 tweakable instructions, enabling developers to fine-tune effects and performance.
TinyGPU v3.0 will also include a 26-operation instruction set. It will support branching using masked execution. It will include four 8-bit temporary registers. These enhancements are expected to significantly improve the level of detail in rendered graphics. They should also improve the quality of animation and texture. They will do this while maintaining performance efficiency. An early demonstration of the v3.0 design included a chameleon. This is a nod to the Nvidia GeForce 3. It was the first consumer GPU to feature a programmable shader 25 years ago.
The development of TinyGPU v3.0 is moving forward ahead of schedule. According to recent updates, the chip will be delivered in late 2026 or early 2027. It is currently in the production phase through the Tiny Tapeout community, and the v3.0 submission has already been made before the completion of v2.0 testing. This accelerated timeline reflects Vichit’s determination to push the limits of miniaturization in graphics processing.
Performance Considerations
While the performance of TinyGPU v2.0 is impressive for a chip of its size, it has not exceeded the frame rates achieved during earlier tests. During trials using a Basys3 FPGA host, the chip rendered at 7.5 to 15 frames per second. Vichit confirmed that the Tiny Tapeout version will not perform faster than the FPGA, but the design remains a strong foundation for future development. The current focus is on refining the roadmap and ensuring smooth transitions between versions.
Community and Industry Response
The success of TinyGPU v2.0 and the promising capabilities of v3.0 are generating considerable interest in the tech community. Tom's Hardware has been tracking this project closely. It highlights the achievements of Vichit, an independent designer. He continues to challenge the boundaries of what is possible in GPU design. As the v3.0 production process moves forward, further updates are expected. Demonstrations will showcase the full potential of the next generation of TinyGPU technology.