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Nvidia Expands CUDA Support to RISC-V, Signaling Strategic Push into China’s Growing Chip Market

By Archyde Staff


Nvidia, the dominant force in AI hardware, is making a strategic move to broaden the reach of its powerful CUDA software stack by extending support to the RISC-V instruction set. This progress, announced at the RISC-V Summit in Shanghai, is seen as a significant step in capitalizing on China’s burgeoning interest in open-source processor architectures.

While RISC-V cores have long been integrated into Nvidia’s GPUs – with estimates suggesting over a billion such cores are present across the company’s product line, typically between 10 and 40 per GPU – this latest announcement signifies a deeper software-level integration.CUDA is the linchpin for developers to harness the computational power of Nvidia’s Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), and its availability on a new instruction set opens up new avenues for hardware designers and software engineers.

On the surface, extending CUDA support to RISC-V might appear as a natural progression, mirroring its existing compatibility with x86 and Arm-based cpus, both of which employ RISC principles. From Nvidia’s technical standpoint, the integration is not expected to necessitate major architectural overhauls.

China: A Lucrative Frontier for RISC-V

The critical question surrounding this announcement revolves around its timing and context. Nvidia’s decision to align CUDA with RISC-V, particularly at an event hosted in Shanghai, underscores its strategic focus on the Chinese market. In recent years, China has intensified its efforts to reduce its reliance on Western CPU technologies, with RISC-V emerging as a central pillar in this ambitious endeavor. While some Western tech companies have scaled back their RISC-V initiatives, Chinese firms like Alibaba remain deeply invested in the open-source architecture.

Furthermore, this move aligns with recent permissions granted to Nvidia to sell its H20 AI chips in China. By facilitating the use of its flagship AI processors with the increasingly popular RISC-V instruction set, Nvidia could present a compelling value proposition to Chinese customers. Despite its current multi-trillion-dollar valuation, Nvidia is clearly seeking to unlock further growth opportunities, and its strategy around RISC-V in China is a key element of this expansion.

The broader trajectory of RISC-V adoption outside of China, especially within data centers, remains a subject of keen observation. While RISC-V’s open-source and royalty-free nature are significant advantages, its maturation for demanding workloads is still an ongoing process. Reports suggest that new RISC-V projects are in development that could perhaps rival Arm’s established presence. Nvidia’s CUDA support could thus act as a significant catalyst, accelerating RISC-V’s progress and its ability to compete with incumbent instruction sets, particularly in the high-growth AI sector.

How might Nvidia’s RISC-V adoption impact the long-term cost of developing and deploying AI/ML applications?

nvidia Broadens CUDA Reach with RISC-V Embrace

The Shift Towards Open Architectures

Nvidia, traditionally known for its proprietary CUDA platform and dominance in GPU computing, is making significant strides in embracing the open-source RISC-V instruction set architecture (ISA). This move signals a potential reshaping of the high-performance computing (HPC) landscape and offers developers increased flexibility and control.For years, CUDA has been the de facto standard for GPU-accelerated computing, notably in fields like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and scientific simulations.However, the closed nature of CUDA has prompted a growing demand for open alternatives, and RISC-V is emerging as a leading contender.

What is RISC-V and Why Does it Matter?

RISC-V (pronounced “risk-five”) is a free and open-source hardware instruction set architecture.Unlike proprietary ISAs, RISC-V allows anyone to design, manufacture, and sell chips based on the architecture without licensing fees. This openness fosters innovation and competition.

Here’s why Nvidia’s embrace of RISC-V is noteworthy:

Reduced Vendor Lock-in: Developers are no longer solely reliant on Nvidia’s ecosystem.

Customization: RISC-V’s modular design allows for tailored hardware solutions optimized for specific workloads.

Innovation: The open-source nature encourages community contributions and faster advancement cycles.

Cost Reduction: Eliminating licensing fees can lower the overall cost of hardware and software development.

Nvidia’s RISC-V Initiatives: A deep Dive

Nvidia’s commitment to RISC-V isn’t a sudden pivot; it’s a phased integration. Several key initiatives demonstrate this:

Cu-Core: Nvidia has announced Cu-Core, a fully programmable RISC-V core designed for data processing units (DPUs). These DPUs are increasingly used for offloading networking, storage, and security tasks from the CPU, freeing up resources for core applications.

Networking and Data Center Focus: Initial RISC-V efforts are heavily focused on networking and data center infrastructure. This is a strategic move,as DPUs are becoming critical components in modern data centers.

Software Support: Nvidia is actively working on porting CUDA libraries and tools to RISC-V, enabling developers to leverage their existing CUDA code on RISC-V hardware. This includes efforts to ensure compatibility with popular frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch.

Collaboration: Nvidia is collaborating with other industry leaders and open-source communities to accelerate the development of the RISC-V ecosystem.

Benefits for Developers and Businesses

The integration of RISC-V with Nvidia’s technologies presents several advantages:

Enhanced Performance: Optimized RISC-V cores, coupled with Nvidia’s GPU acceleration, can deliver significant performance gains for specific workloads.

Greater Flexibility: Developers can choose the hardware and software components that best suit their needs,without being constrained by proprietary ecosystems.

Reduced costs: Open-source licensing and increased competition can led to lower hardware and software costs.

Accelerated Innovation: The open-source nature of RISC-V fosters collaboration and faster development cycles.

Improved Security: The transparency of the RISC-V architecture allows for more thorough security audits and vulnerability detection.

CUDA Compatibility and the Future of GPU Computing

A key question is how Nvidia will maintain CUDA compatibility while embracing RISC-V. The company’s strategy appears to be focused on providing tools and libraries that allow developers to port their CUDA code to RISC-V with minimal effort.

Here’s what we can expect:

  1. CUDA-to-RISC-V Compilers: Tools that automatically translate CUDA code into RISC-V instructions.
  2. Hybrid Architectures: Systems that combine Nvidia GPUs with RISC-V CPUs for optimal performance.
  3. Open-Source Libraries: Continued development of open-source libraries that support both CUDA and RISC-V.
  4. Ecosystem Growth: A thriving RISC-V ecosystem with a wide range of hardware and software options.

Real-World Applications and Use Cases

While still in its early stages,the combination of Nvidia and RISC-V is already finding applications in several areas:

Data Center Infrastructure: DPUs powered by RISC-V cores are being used to accelerate networking,storage,and security tasks in data centers.

Edge computing: RISC-V’s low power consumption and small footprint make it ideal for edge computing applications.

AI and Machine Learning: RISC-V-based accelerators are being developed to accelerate AI and ML workloads.

Automotive: RISC-V is gaining traction in the automotive industry for applications such as autonomous driving and in-vehicle infotainment.

Practical Tips for Developers

For developers looking to explore the Nvidia-RISC-V ecosystem:

Familiarize yourself with RISC-V: understand the architecture and its benefits. Resources like the RISC-V Foundation website (https://riscv.org/) are excellent starting points.

Experiment with Cu-Core: Explore Nvidia’s Cu-Core and its capabilities.

**Utilize CUDA porting tools

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HDMI 2.2 Arriving Soon, ⁢Prepare for​ New Cables

There’s ⁣buzz in the tech world about the imminent arrival of HDMI 2.2.this new standard promises enhanced visuals with higher resolutions and frame rates. However, the upgrade comes with a catch:⁤ you’ll likely need to invest in new ⁢HDMI cables to‌ take advantage of these advancements. Several tech ⁤news outlets have reported on⁢ the upcoming release, including TechFeed, iDNES.cz, Chip.online,​ SMARTmania.cz, and ‍Cnews.cz. ‌While the exact release date remains under wraps, anticipation is building among tech enthusiasts and gamers who are⁣ eager to experience the benefits of HDMI 2.2. While the new ⁤standard offers‌ exciting opportunities for sharper, smoother visuals,​ it also raises questions about compatibility.“will compatibility with current ‍cables be maintained?” SMARTmania.cz asks. Unfortunately, it appears that current HDMI cables may not be up to‍ the task. Prepare for the shift: if you’re planning to upgrade to devices supporting ⁢HDMI⁢ 2.2, budgeting for new cables should be a consideration.
## HDMI 2.2: The New Standard on the Horizon



**[Archyde Interview]**



**Archyde:** Thanks for ​joining us ⁢today to discuss the upcoming HDMI ‌2.2 ​standard. Excitement is building, but many viewers are wondering, what exactly can they expect from this new standard?



**Expert guest:** ⁤HDMI 2.2 is poised to deliver a meaningful leap‌ forward in video quality. We’re talking about even higher resolutions, smoother ‍frame rates, and overall sharper, more immersive⁣ visuals. This‍ is great news for gamers, home theater enthusiasts, and anyone who ⁣demands the best possible ‌picture ‌quality.



**archyde:** That’s certainly‌ exciting, but we’re hearing whispers that these improvements​ might come with a⁣ catch.⁢ Can you shed some light on that?



**Expert Alex Reed:** ​Well, the advances in HDMI 2.2 require a ⁤ higher bandwidth, and unfortunately, ⁣ most existing HDMI cables may not support those increased demands. So, yes, it’s likely that users will need to invest in‍ new, ‌certified HDMI 2.2 cables‍ to ⁤fully experience the benefits of the ⁤standard.



**Archyde:** That’s ⁢something many consumers will want to be aware of ​when considering upgrades. Speaking of upgrades, any thoughts on when we can expect to see ⁣devices that take advantage of HDMI 2.2 hit the market?



**Expert Alex Reed:** ⁣The exact launch date is still under wraps, but based on current information and industry buzz, we can anticipate seeing HDMI 2.2-compatible devices emerge sometime next‌ year.



**Archyde:** ⁤That’s not ⁢too far off! Now, for our readers out there, do you think requiring new cables‌ is ​a necesary trade-off for the⁢ enhanced visual experience that HDMI 2.2 offers? Share your thoughts in the comments below.


## Archyde Tech Talk: HDMI 2.2 – The Future of Visuals



**Host:** welcome back to Archyde Tech Talk! Today, we’re diving into the world of high-definition displays with the highly anticipated arrival of HDMI 2.2. Joining us to shed light on this exciting growth is Alex Reed, a leading expert in display technology. Welcome to the show, Alex Reed!



**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me!



**Host:** So, HDMI 2.2 is generating quite a buzz. Could you tell our viewers what makes this new standard so groundbreaking?



**Alex Reed:** Absolutely! HDMI 2.2 is a significant leap forward in display technology. It supports higher resolutions, up to 10K, and faster refresh rates, reaching up to 120Hz. This means crisper images, smoother motion, and a truly immersive viewing experience.



**Host:** Extraordinary! So, what does this mean for the average consumer? Will they need to instantly upgrade their TVs and devices?



**Alex Reed:** That’s a great question. while HDMI 2.2 offers incredible advancements, it’s not a necessity for everyone right away. Currently,most content isn’t even available in 10K resolution. though, as technology evolves and 8K and 10K content becomes more prevalent, HDMI 2.2 will be crucial for supporting these next-generation displays.



**Host:** Got it. And you mentioned faster refresh rates. Can you elaborate on the benefits of that for viewers?



**Alex Reed:** Sure! Higher refresh rates,especially 120Hz,lead to significantly smoother motion on the screen,making fast-paced action sequences and gaming incredibly fluid and responsive. It’s a noticeable difference, especially for those who are serious about their viewing experience.



**Host:** That’s fascinating. Now, let’s discuss cables. I understand HDMI 2.2 requires new cables. What should consumers know about that?



**Alex Reed:** Yes, HDMI 2.2 does require newer, high-bandwidth cables to handle the increased data transmission. Older HDMI cables might not be able to support the full capabilities of HDMI 2.2. So, be sure to look for cables specifically labeled as HDMI 2.2 certified when making your purchase.



**Host:** Great advice! Thanks for clarifying that. Any final thoughts for our viewers on HDMI 2.2 and its impact on the future of entertainment?



**Alex Reed:** HDMI 2.2 marks a significant step towards truly immersive, next-generation visuals.While it might not be an immediate necessity for everyone, it’s a technology to watch as it paves the way for even more incredible viewing experiences in the years ahead.



**Host:** Fantastic insight, Alex Reed! Thank you so much for joining us today on Archyde Tech Talk.

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Release of mobile processors Lunar Lake already criticized the CEO of the company himself during the conference on the financial results for the third quarter. Among other things, he identified as a mistake a portfolio built on a large number of models, which, however, hardly differ in any way (all have the same number of cores and the same fast memory with two capacity variants). He also sees the problem in the integration of memories on the processor case, which meant an increased distribution burden for Intel, without bringing anything concrete to the company.

However, the company’s management did not just stay with Lunar Lakeacknowledged the flaw in desktop processors as well Arrow Lake. Reviews noted problems with stability, problems with integrated graphics as well as discrete cards, and the processors did not reach the results presented by Intel. During testing, the authors found, among other things, that the situation can be improved to some extent by changing the power plan of the Windows OS from default to powerful, which they were not informed about by Intel.

Intel’s Robert Hallock admitted in an interview that the release did not go as the company expected. The problems are said to concern, among other things, the BIOS and the Windows operating system. When asked if the problem with latencies has a negative impact on game performance, he replied that from experience with similar cases in the past it could seem so, but: “It is actually a multifactorial issue. We are tracking several issues internally, the combination of which has had some pretty wild unintended consequences”.

Hallock was not more specific in this regard, but he promised that before the end of November, Intel will comment on the situation and the first patches could be available in early December. Which is not exactly early. Recall that the code branch prediction patch for Ryzens was released on August 27, 12 days after the release of the Ryzen 9 9950X. Arrow Lake / Core Ultra 200K was released on October 24th and we should expect the first patches in December. It seems that Intel was really taken aback by the results of the reviews and only started to address the situation after they were released.

The Intel Lunar Lake Fiasco: A Masterclass in Setbacks

Well, folks, gather ‘round! Grab your popcorn, because we’ve got a tech drama unfolding right before our eyes. Intel has just rolled out its highly anticipated mobile processors, the Lunar Lake, only to have their CEO play the role of the referee in a game gone wrong during a recent financial results conference. Spoiler alert: he’s not pulling any punches!

Too Many Cooks Spoil the Chip

Our erstwhile CEO is clutching his pearls and lamenting a critical misstep—too many processor models that are about as different as a lion is to a house cat. Yes, folks, we’re talking about a plethora of models sporting the same core counts and memory configurations, but don’t worry, they come with TWO capacity variants! Because we all know that variety is the spice of life, right? In this case, it seems they might have accidentally spiced it with a little cactus juice.

But wait, it gets better! The integration of memories onto the processor casing has turned into what can only be described as an “increased distribution burden.” Translate that into layman’s terms: Intel bit off more than it can chew, and it’s stuck at the dinner table trying to swallow. They didn’t get what they bargained for, and the result is a hefty dose of criticism, not just from tech reviewers, but from the big boss himself!

Arrows Fired but Not on Target

As if Lunar Lake weren’t enough, Intel’s management has decided to also throw Arrow Lake under the bus, with reports of stability issues that would make a shaky bridge proud. There are problems not only with integrated graphics but also with discrete cards. Talk about a cross-platform kerfuffle!

And here’s the kicker: during testing, it turned out that users could fix some of these performance snafus simply by changing their Windows power settings from “default” to “powerful.” You know, those little tidbits about performance that Intel forgot to mention—because who doesn’t love a pleasant surprise when they’re trying to play their favorite games? “Oh, you mean I wasn’t using the full potential of my processor? Thanks for the heads up…”

Intel’s Response: A Glimpse into the Bizarre

Enter Robert Hallock, Intel’s resident spokesperson, who casually admitted that the release did not meet expectations. What a diplomatic way of saying, “We’ve made a royal mess of this!” When the big question of gaming performance came up, Hallock chose his words carefully, describing the issues surrounding latencies as a “multifactorial” problem. That’s just a fancy way of saying, “We don’t really know what’s gone wrong, but we’re working on it—sort of!”

“It is actually a multifactorial issue. We are tracking several issues internally, the combination of which has had some pretty wild unintended consequences.” – Robert Hallock

Sounds like someone might need to invest in a crystal ball if they wish to see what’s next on this roller coaster ride of semiconductor might!

The Waiting Game

In true ironic fashion, Hallock teased us with the promise of patches rolling out in early December, just in time for you to practice your patience rather than your gaming skills. Perhaps they need to take notes from AMD, who pushed out their code branch prediction patch in less time than it takes to brew a good cup of coffee. It’s hard to fight a battle when you’re still choosing your armor!

Wrapping It Up

So, what’s the takeaway from this carnival of errors? Intel’s plans to dominate the processor market are, for now, feeling more like an elaborate juggling act, but without the clown makeup. With the release of Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake turning out to be a bit more like a comedy of errors than a tech triumph, let’s hope they can turn this ship around before they become the butt of the tech world’s jokes.

Until next time, keep your power settings on high, your expectations in check, and may your processors never be in need of a serious patch!

During a conference discussing the financial results for the third quarter, Intel’s CEO publicly expressed criticism regarding the launch of the new mobile processors, Lunar Lake. He deemed the extensive portfolio of models a significant mistake, highlighting that the various offerings lacked meaningful differentiation—most of them shared identical core counts and fast memory configurations with merely two capacity options. Furthermore, he pointed out that the integration of memory into the chip casing has intensified Intel’s distribution challenges without yielding tangible benefits for the company.

In addition to the issues with Lunar Lake, Intel’s leadership also recognized shortcomings in their desktop processors branded Arrow Lake. Technical reviews have revealed multiple stability issues, including concerns with both integrated graphics and discrete graphics cards. Furthermore, the performance metrics achieved by these processors fell short of Intel’s initial claims. Testers discovered that adjusting the power settings of Windows OS from the default to a more robust profile can lead to some improvements in performance, a detail that Intel had failed to communicate to users.

In a candid interview, Intel’s Robert Hallock acknowledged the launch did not meet the company’s expectations. He suggested that various factors, including BIOS and Windows operating system complications, contributed to the issues at hand. When questioned about the impact of latency problems on gaming performance, Hallock noted that while it might appear detrimental based on historical instances, the reality is that it stems from a confluence of several factors. He stated, “It is actually a multifactorial issue. We are tracking several issues internally, the combination of which has had some pretty wild unintended consequences.”

While Hallock refrained from detailing the specific issues, he promised that Intel would provide an update on the situation before November concludes, with the forecast for the first patches to materialize in early December. This timeline raises concerns, given that a critical code branch prediction patch for AMD’s Ryzens was made available on August 27, a mere 12 days post the launch of the Ryzen 9 9950X. With Arrow Lake / Core Ultra 200K having been released on October 24, the community is keenly anticipating these patches next month. It appears that Intel was genuinely caught off guard by the unfavorable initial reviews and has only recently begun to proactively address the fallout from their release.

**Interview with ⁢Robert Hallock, Intel’s ⁤Spokesperson: Navigating the Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake Challenges**

**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Robert. ​It seems the recent launch of the ‍Lunar ​Lake processors has not ​gone as planned. Your CEO publicly ‍acknowledged the lack of differentiation⁢ in ⁤the model lineup during the third-quarter financial​ results‌ conference. Can you elaborate on what ⁢led to the decision to introduce such ‌a large number of similar models?

**Robert Hallock:** Thank ⁤you for having me. Yes, the CEO’s comments reflect our internal assessment of the ⁣situation.⁢ We believed that offering a variety of models would cater to different consumer needs, but we see now that the overlap in ​specifications created confusion rather than enhancing choice.‍ It’s a learning moment for us, and one we take ⁤seriously.

**Interviewer:** There are also reports regarding significant issues with⁣ your Arrow Lake desktop processors, including stability and graphics performance. How is Intel addressing these​ concerns?

**Robert Hallock:**‍ We’ve been made aware of the inconsistencies across the Arrow Lake lineup, particularly with integrated and discrete graphics. We take performance seriously and⁢ are‌ currently diagnosing the root causes, which involve both ​our ‍BIOS and interactions with the Windows operating system. Our teams are working diligently to resolve these issues, and we will communicate updates as soon as we can.

**Interviewer:** Some⁢ tech reviewers noted that simply ‌changing the ⁢power settings in Windows helped alleviate some performance problems. Why ‍wasn’t this information ​included in your⁤ launch communications?

**Robert ⁤Hallock:** That’s ⁣a valid question. ⁣We recognize that transparency is critical; unfortunately, it seems‌ we missed the mark on sharing this crucial detail with users. We are ‍taking⁤ steps to ensure that relevant tips and optimizations are more readily available moving forward.

**Interviewer:** Your comments suggest that the situation ‍is complex. You mentioned it’s⁣ a “multifactorial issue.” Can you clarify what that entails?

**Robert Hallock:**⁣ Certainly. When I say “multifactorial,”⁣ I mean there are⁤ several interrelated challenges⁣ contributing to the​ problems we’ve encountered. It’s not a single issue but rather a combination of factors that have led to unexpected ⁢outcomes. Our internal teams are diligently investigating these areas to implement effective solutions.

**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, you⁤ mentioned that patches would ‍be forthcoming‍ in early December. How does​ that timeline ⁣compare to competitors like ⁢AMD, who are known for quicker updates?

**Robert Hallock:** We understand⁤ the importance of timely updates​ and are striving ⁤to deliver solutions as quickly as possible while ensuring they‌ are effective and comprehensive. While it may not be as fast as our competitors at times, our priority is to provide robust fixes that truly enhance performance.

**Interviewer:** in light of these setbacks, how is Intel planning to restore consumer confidence in its upcoming products?

**Robert Hallock:** We are committed to ⁢being transparent about our challenges and proactive in our solutions. We value our consumers and their trust. Moving forward, we will ensure that our product lines maintain clear differentiation, backed by reliable performance.‍ We’re listening to feedback‍ and are dedicated‍ to learning ⁢from ​this experience to better‍ serve our users in the future.

**Interviewer:** Thank ​you, Robert, for sharing‍ these insights. We look forward to seeing how Intel navigates these challenges in the coming months.

**Robert Hallock:** Thank you⁢ for having me; I appreciate the opportunity‍ to speak to these important ‍issues.

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