1. A method of generating a graphics image, the method comprising: storing a plurality of texture descriptors in a graphics memory; receiving pixel data at a first shader unit of a graphics processor; sending, from the first shader unit to the graphics memory, a request for a first texture descriptor; and retrieving the first texture descriptor from the graphics memory for use in the graphics processor, wherein the plurality of texture descriptors are stored once in the graphics memory and retrieved a plurality of times for use by the graphics processor, and further comprising: receiving, at the first shader unit, address information that specifies the location of the first texture descriptor in the graphics memory.