Techniques are described with respect to preemption in which a graphics processing unit (GPU) may execute a first set of commands in response to receiving a draw call, the draw call defining a plurality of primitives that are to be rendered by the first set of commands, receive a preemption notification during execution of the first set of commands, and preempt the execution of the first set of commands, prior to completing the execution of the first set of commands to render the plurality of primitives of the draw call, for executing a second set of commands.