Graphics processing systems

Abstract

A method / system / apparatus for operating a graphics processor, the graphics processor comprising: one or more processing circuits configured to execute a plurality of pipeline stages for a processing pipeline, wherein the operation of the one or more processing circuits to execute the processing pipeline is controlled based on a set of pipeline configuration information, wherein a copy of the full set of pipeline configuration information including respective portions of pipeline configuration information relating to individual pipeline stages defining the processing pipeline is stored in association with the processing pipeline as a whole. To update some or all pipeline configuration information for the graphics processing pipeline, state update commands are issued to the graphics processing pipeline that cause respective local copies of relevant portions of the pipeline configuration information maintained by each pipeline stage to be updated, as required, and a copy of the full pipeline configuration information.

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