Disclosed are various examples for platform independent graphics processing unit (GPU) profiles for more efficient utilizes of GPU resources. A computing device can identify a platform independent configuration of a virtual machine, such as one made by an administrator, that indicates that a virtual graphics processing unit (vGPU) is to be utilized in execution, where the configuration comprising a graphics computing requirement for the virtual machine. The computing device can identify one or more hosts available in a computing environment to place the virtual machine, where each of the plurality of hosts comprises at least one GPU. The computing device can identify a most suitable one of the hosts to place the virtual machine based at least in part on the graphics computing requirement and whether a preferred graphics card was specified.