NVIDIA has reportedly finalized a deal with TSMC to utilize its 3nm process node for the creation of its next-gen Blackwell B100 GPUs for AI.
NVIDIA & TSMC Reportedly Sign Deal For Blackwell B100 GPUs, 3nm AI Chips Landing In 2H 2024
The rapid rise in genAI developments has indeed bolstered the pace of innovation within the industry. It is now reported that NVIDIA has contacted TSMC for its next-generation "Blackwell" B100 AI GPUs, based around the Taiwan giant's 3nm process.
Before diving into the report, it is important to go down the memory lane, to get to know about Blackwell GB100 GPUs. They are set to be Team Green's first batch of AI GPUs to feature a chiplet design, which is expected to bring decisive uplifts in terms of performance per watt. It has been reported in the past that GB100s will feature a much more complex "structural design", which may setback production figures in the beginning.
For NVIDIA, which monopolizes more than 80% of the AI GPU market, the next generation B100 will use TSMC’s 3nm family and is scheduled to appear in the fourth quarter of 2024. It will seize AI deployment business opportunities while the iron is hot and suppress AMD, Intel and other challenges.
It is now disclosed that NVIDIA has started to take steps to proceed towards its Blackwell AI GPUs since DigiTimes reports that the tech giant has already contacted for services of TSMC. Blackwell GB100 GPUs were already rumored to feature TSMC's 3nm process & now it looks like a deal has been verified. However, right now, TSMC particularly its 3nm manufacturing is facing hindrances in the form of utilization rates and a lack of advanced manufacturing plants. So, for now, the actual 3nm implementation could be seen deep into 2024, right when Blackwell GB100s are scheduled to be released.
The report by DigiTimes yet again makes it clear, that NVIDIA is coming for everything within the AI industry, preventing competitors like Intel and AMD from even establishing themselves. It seems like Team Green has planned out a layout for the future, and the next-gen Blackwell GB100 AI GPUs could play a crucial role here since it would mark the transition to next-gen developments within the AI industry. AMD's EPYC Instinct MI300 accelerators are expected to launch later this year on the 5nm process node so a follow-up can be expected around 2025-2026 which will mean Blackwell GPUs will have a head start on an advanced process node. Intel is expected to launch its Gaudi 3 AI accelerator next year based on the 5nm process node and a follow-up in the form of Falcon Shores in 2025.
NVIDIA is in a dominant spot right now, and with the company's ambitions to generate a whopping $300 billion through AI by 2027, it can't be caught slacking in any way. While next-gen AI GPU adoption does have concerns such as compromised production volumes due to manufacturing complexities, after all, this is NVIDIA. They can do the impossible!
News Source: DigiTimes
