➀ The article discusses the importance of virtualization licensing in server hardware costs.
➁ It focuses on AMD's EPYC processors and their optimization for virtualization applications.
➂ The author explores how newer processors offer performance improvements, which can lead to significant cost savings in licensing.
➀ Keysight Technologies has introduced two oscilloscopes designed for testing 1.6T optical transceivers: a single optical channel DCA-M and a dual optical channel DCA-M Sampling Oscilloscope. These instruments are engineered for high optical measurement sensitivity and integrated clock recovery.
➁ The oscilloscopes feature ultra-low optical channel noise and minimal intrinsic jitter, ensuring accurate high-data-rate analysis with jitter below 90 fs. They simplify test setup and compliance assurance while optimizing production efficiency.
➂ Keysight's advanced oscilloscopes support high-speed optical signal analysis and are expected to accelerate AI-driven data center innovations by providing precise measurements for 1.6T transceivers.
OpenAI's release of GPT-4.5 has been delayed due to a shortage of GPUs. CEO Sam Altman mentioned on X that the rollout will be staggered and will involve adding tens of thousands of GPUs next week. This shortage is prompting OpenAI to develop its own AI silicon in partnership with Broadcom.
The high cost of GPT-4.5, at $75 per million input tokens and $150 per million output tokens, is a concern, but Altman emphasizes its unique intelligence.
NVIDIA's GPUs are in high demand, with Blackwell GPUs sold out until October. The expansion of AI infrastructure, including massive AI supercomputers and data centers, is driving this demand.
➀ Lumotive, a specialist in programmable optical semiconductors, has raised $45 million in a Series B funding round.
➁ The funding will be used to accelerate growth in global market expansion, data center AI infrastructure, and aerospace and defense applications.
➂ Lumotive's LCM technology enables ultra-reliable optical circuit switches for high-performance optical switching solutions.
➀ The SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) reported that 2024 silicon wafer shipments fell 2.7% to 12,266 million square inches and wafer revenue contracted 6.5% to $11.5 billion.
➁ Demand for silicon wafers in the second half of 2024 started to recover from the industry downcycle seen in 2023, and is expected to continue into 2025.
➂ Generative AI and new data-center construction are driving demand for advanced foundry and memory devices like HBM, while most other markets are still recovering from excess inventory.
➀ Justin Hotard, the executive vice president and general manager of Intel's Data Center and AI Group, has left Intel to become the CEO of Nokia.
➁ Intel has appointed an interim head for its datacenter and AI unit and will start searching for a new permanent general manager.
➂ Hotard joined Intel in early 2024, and his tenure was marked by successes and challenges, including the launch of new CPUs and missed sales expectations.
➀ Intel's data center CPU sales reached a 13-year low in 2024 due to increased competition from AMD, the transition to higher-core count models, and a market shift to AI servers.
➁ Unit sales of Intel's data center CPUs dropped by 20% from 2011 levels and over 80% from 2021.
➂ Intel's data center average selling prices increased, but it is unclear if the company can regain market share in the AI accelerator market.
➀ AMD's stock price plummeted after disappointing data center business outlook;
➁ Despite strong overall revenue growth in the fourth quarter, data center performance overshadowed other achievements;
➂ Concerns about AMD's weakened momentum in the AI device field were confirmed with DeepSeek, a Chinese startup, entering the market at a lower cost, further exacerbating worries;
➃ AMD's total revenue grew 24% to $7.66 billion in the fourth quarter, exceeding expectations;
➄ AMD remains optimistic about 2025, predicting double growth in revenue and EPS.
➀ AMD achieved record revenue of $7.7 billion in Q4 2024 and $25.8 billion for the year, driven by data center products and Ryzen CPUs.
➁ AMD's Gaming revenue fell 59% year-over-year in Q4, with the segment becoming the smallest in AMD's portfolio.
➂ Despite the decline, AMD's Gaming segment remains profitable, but the focus is on Data Center profits.
➀ The ASUS AI POD, featuring the NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 platform, is set for March 2025 shipping.
➁ It boasts 26 NVIDIA GRACE CPUs, 72 Blackwell GPUs, and advanced cooling, offering significant AI performance enhancements.
➂ Designed for data centers, it supports large-scale AI training and inference, with ASUS providing full-service solutions.
➀ Intel has delayed the release of its key data center processor, Clearwater Forest, to the first half of 2026 due to massive losses and challenges with packaging technology.
➁ The delay is seen as a setback for Intel's competitive position in the data center market and its efforts to regain market share.
➂ Intel's financial results revealed significant losses, with the company investing heavily in new fabs and production capacity in the U.S.
