Ampere Announces Update to Product Roadmap
Ampere has revealed a significant update to its product roadmap, introducing the upcoming 512-core AmpereOne Aurora processor. This new chip is specifically tailored to meet the increasing demands of cloud-native AI computing.
The newly unveiled AmpereOne Aurora 512 cores processor features AI acceleration and on-chip High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), promising three times the performance per rack compared to current AmpereOne processors. Aurora is designed to handle both AI training and inference workloads, showcasing Ampere's dedication to establishing a strong presence in the AI computing sector.
While the exact process node for Aurora remains undisclosed, Ampere hints at the use of multiple chiplets on a scalable mesh architecture. Speculation about potential collaboration with Intel, possibly utilizing Intel's 18A process or packaging technologies, arose following Ampere's recent participation at an Intel Foundry event.
Key Features of AmpereOne Aurora:
- Up to 512 Ampere Cores: Delivering over 3x the performance of current AmpereOne processors
- Scalable AmpereOne Mesh: Allows seamless connection of all types of compute
- Integration of Ampere AI IP directly into silicon hardware along with high bandwidth memory
This announcement positions Ampere as a strong competitor in the high-core-count processor market, directly challenging AMD and Intel. The emphasis on AI capabilities and cloud-native design could give Ampere a unique advantage in the rapidly evolving data center and cloud computing landscape.
The current AmpereOne offering boasts up to 192 cores and is built on 5 nm process technology. Looking ahead to Q4 2024, Ampere plans to introduce the AmpereOne M series, maintaining the 192-core count while introducing a new 12-channel DDR5 platform, first showcased at Computex 2023. By 2025, an enhanced version of this 12-channel platform is expected to increase the core count to 256.
