Lattice QCD as a video game

TL;DR

This paper explores using modern PC graphics cards for lattice QCD simulations, detailing architecture, programming models, and providing sample code to facilitate high-performance Monte Carlo computations.

Contribution

It introduces a practical approach and programming strategies for leveraging graphics cards in lattice QCD simulations, which was less developed before.

Findings

Graphics cards can be effectively used for lattice QCD simulations.

Sample code demonstrates implementation feasibility.

Potential for high-performance Monte Carlo simulations on GPUs.

Abstract

The speed, bandwidth and cost characteristics of today's PC graphics cards make them an attractive target as general purpose computational platforms. High performance can be achieved also for lattice simulations but the actual implementation can be cumbersome. This paper outlines the architecture and programming model of modern graphics cards for the lattice practitioner with the goal of exploiting these chips for Monte Carlo simulations. Sample code is also given.