Computing and Hardware Archives - Page 2 of 7

Microsoft Set to Unveil Its Latest AI Chip, Codenamed ‘Athena,’ Next Month

After years of development, Microsoft is on the cusp of revealing its highly-anticipated AI chip, codenamed ‘Athena,’ at the upcoming annual ‘Ignite’ event next month. This unveiling marks a significant milestone for the tech giant, as it signals a potential shift away from its reliance on GPUs manufactured by NVIDIA, the dominant player in the semiconductor industry.

Microsoft has meticulously crafted its Athena chip to empower its data center servers, tailoring it specifically for training and running large-scale language models. The motivation behind this endeavor stems from the ever-increasing demand for NVIDIA chips to fuel AI systems. However, NVIDIA’s chips are notorious for being both scarce and expensive, with its most powerful AI offering, the H100 chip, commanding a hefty price tag of $40,000.

By venturing into in-house GPU production, Microsoft aims to curb costs and bolster its cloud computing service, Azure. Notably, Microsoft had been covertly working on Athena since 2019, coinciding with its $1 billion investment in OpenAI, the visionary organization behind ChatGPT. Over the years, Microsoft has allocated nearly $13 billion to support OpenAI, further deepening their collaboration.

Athena’s Arrival: Microsoft’s In-House AI Chip Ready for the Spotlight

Besides advancing its own AI aspirations, Microsoft’s chip could potentially aid OpenAI in addressing its own GPU requirements. OpenAI has recently expressed interest in developing its AI chip or potentially acquiring a chipmaker capable of crafting tailored chips for its unique needs.

This development holds promise for OpenAI, especially considering the colossal expenses associated with scaling ChatGPT. A Reuters report highlights that expanding ChatGPT to a tenth of Google’s search scale would necessitate an expenditure of approximately $48.1 billion for GPUs, along with an annual $16 billion investment in chips. Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has previously voiced concerns about GPU shortages affecting the functionality of his products.

To date, ChatGPT has relied on a fleet of 10,000 NVIDIA GPUs integrated into a Microsoft supercomputer. As ChatGPT transitions from being a free service to a commercial one, its demand for computational power is expected to skyrocket, requiring over 30,000 NVIDIA A100 GPUs.

Microsoft’s Athena: A Potential Game-Changer in the Semiconductor Race

The global chip supply shortage has only exacerbated the soaring prices of NVIDIA chips. In response, NVIDIA has announced the upcoming launch of the GH200 chip, featuring the same GPU as the H100 but with triple the memory capacity. Systems equipped with the GH200 are slated to debut in the second quarter of 2024.

Microsoft’s annual gathering of developers and IT professionals, ‘Ignite,’ sets the stage for this momentous revelation. The event, scheduled from November 14 to 17 in Seattle, promises to showcase vital updates across Microsoft’s product spectrum.

OpenAI Bold Move: Exploring In-House AI Chips Production and Hardware Innovations

Securing Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) has become a paramount concern for companies harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI). The market for these essential chips is highly constrained, largely controlled by a select few semiconductor giants. Notably, OpenAI, renowned as the creator of ChatGPT, finds itself in this quandary. However, recent reports suggest that OpenAI is actively exploring options to address this challenge, potentially reshaping its AI hardware strategy.

OpenAI, a trailblazing force in the realm of AI, is considering the development of its own proprietary AI chip or even the acquisition of a chip manufacturing company, as per insights shared by Reuters. Presently, OpenAI, like many of its peers, relies heavily on AI chips provided by NVIDIA, particularly the A100 and H100, which are highly sought-after in the industry. This reliance has led OpenAI to amass a formidable arsenal of GPUs, a status aptly described as being “GPU-rich” by Dyan Patel in a recent blog post. This status signifies OpenAI’s access to extensive computing power, a crucial resource in the AI landscape.

The flagship product of OpenAI, ChatGPT, relies on a staggering 10,000 high-end NVIDIA GPUs to operate efficiently. However, this entails significant expenses, and in recent times, both NVIDIA and AMD have hiked the prices of their chips and graphics cards. These escalating costs have prompted OpenAI to seek more sustainable alternatives.

The Cost of AI: OpenAI’s Financial Perspective

According to a report by Reuters, each query processed by ChatGPT costs OpenAI approximately 4 cents, according to Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon. Extrapolating this to a scale approaching a fraction of Google search’s magnitude would necessitate OpenAI to allocate a staggering $48.1 billion for GPU procurement and an additional $16 billion annually for chip maintenance. In light of this, OpenAI’s exploration into in-house chip production becomes a financially pragmatic choice.

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has been vocal about the GPU shortage and its impact on the company’s operations. Altman, in a blog post archived by Raza Habib, CEO of London-based AI firm Humanloop, acknowledged challenges such as slow API speeds and reliability issues, attributing many of these difficulties to GPU shortages. Habib also revealed Altman’s vision of a more cost-effective and efficient GPT-4, emphasizing OpenAI’s commitment to lowering the cost of AI services over time.

Exploring the Possibility of OpenAI Hardware Products

According to sources cited by Reuters, OpenAI is contemplating the acquisition of a chip manufacturing company, mirroring a strategy adopted by Amazon when it acquired Annapurna Labs in 2015. Nevertheless, a report by The Information hints at a more ambitious move by OpenAI, suggesting that the company may venture into hardware products. This report mentions discussions between Sam Altman and Jony Ive, the former Chief Design Officer at Apple, to potentially develop an iPhone-like AI device.

Remarkably, SoftBank CEO and investor Masayoshi Son has reportedly expressed interest in investing $1 billion in OpenAI to support the development of this revolutionary AI product, often dubbed as the ‘iPhone of AI.’ Such a collaboration between two influential entities holds the promise of transforming the AI landscape and making advanced AI accessible to a broader audience.

In conclusion, OpenAI is at the forefront of addressing the GPU scarcity challenge that has plagued the AI industry. Their pursuit of in-house chip production and potential forays into hardware products mark a bold step toward enhancing AI accessibility, affordability, and performance in the future.

Google’s Nuvem Subsea Cable System: Bridging Continents and Boosting Connectivity

Google’s latest project, the Nuvem subsea cable system, aims to be a bridge transcending geographical borders and vast oceans. Named after the Portuguese word for “cloud,” Nuvem will serve as a digital nexus, connecting Portugal, Bermuda, and the United States.

Nuvem: Connecting Borders and Oceans

This new cable system will not only enhance international route diversity but also bolster information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure across continents. Research indicates that such infrastructure investments can catalyze positive effects on trade, investment, and productivity within a country. These projects also encourage societies and individuals to acquire new skills and enable businesses to harness the power of digital connectivity.

Bermuda has shown unwavering commitment to the submarine cable market, actively seeking investment in subsea cable infrastructure. This proactive stance includes legislation to establish cable corridors and streamline permitting processes. Walter Roban, Bermuda’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs, expressed enthusiasm for working with Google on the cable project, emphasizing the broader partnership’s potential benefits in digital infrastructure. David Hart, CEO of the Bermuda Business Development Agency, welcomed Bermuda’s new role as the home of a transatlantic cable, recognizing its significance in enhancing network resiliency and redundancy across the Atlantic.

Introducing the Nuvem subsea cable | Google Cloud Blog

Situated strategically in southwestern mainland Europe, Portugal has also emerged as a key hub for subsea cables. Nuvem will join Portugal’s existing subsea cable portfolio, which includes the recently completed Equiano system, connecting Portugal with several African countries. João Galamba, Portugal’s Minister of Infrastructure, hailed Google’s investment as pivotal in establishing the country as a thriving connectivity gateway for Europe, aiming to attract supplementary investments in cutting-edge technology sectors to propel digital transformation.

A New Era of Connectivity: Nuvem’s Impact

In the United States, Nuvem will land in South Carolina, further solidifying the state’s reputation as a burgeoning technology center. Nuvem is expected to increase connectivity and diversify employment opportunities, similar to Google’s earlier project, Firmina, which will connect South Carolina with Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. Governor Henry McMaster celebrated Google’s continued investments in digital infrastructure, anticipating positive economic impacts locally and globally.

Nuvem is projected to become operational in 2026, bringing increased capacity, reliability, and reduced latency for Google users and Google Cloud customers worldwide. Alongside Firmina and Equiano, it will create vital new data corridors connecting North America, South America, Europe, and Africa.

In an era where global communication and data exchange are paramount, the Nuvem subsea cable system represents a significant step in fortifying the backbone of the transatlantic subsea cable network, silently strengthening the connections that underpin our interconnected world.

Microsoft’s Surface Event: Introducing New Devices

In the absence of the iconic Panos Panay, Microsoft faced a defining moment at its Surface event in New York City. The long-time head of the division had recently departed, leaving a void that was filled by none other than CEO Satya Nadella himself. However, the spotlight remained firmly on the hardware, with the Surface Laptop Go 3 and Surface Laptop Studio 2 stealing the show.

Fifteen months after the introduction of the Laptop Go 2, which featured a new fingerprint reader, its successor emerged with impressive upgrades under the hood. Powered by the 12th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU and Intel Iris Xe graphics, Microsoft proudly claims an 88% boost in performance when compared to the original Surface Laptop Go, released in late 2020.

True to its name, portability takes center stage in the Surface Laptop Go 3. Weighing in at just under 2.5 pounds, this 12.4-inch marvel is exceptionally lightweight. Naturally, it boasts a touchscreen display, a hallmark of the Surface lineup. Equipped with a pair of Studio microphones and Dolby Atmos-tuned speakers, it delivers an immersive audiovisual experience. Additionally, Microsoft promises an impressive 15 hours of battery life on a single charge.

Stepping up in size, the new Laptop Studio measures 14.4 inches and boasts significant power under the hood, courtesy of 13th-gen Intel Core H-class processors. Graphics enthusiasts can opt for Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 4060, or RTX 2000 graphics configurations. The device offers a modern array of ports, including two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, a traditional USB-A port, and a microSD card reader, catering to the creative professional’s needs. It’s clear that Microsoft has crafted a well-rounded system with the Laptop Studio 2.

Both of these cutting-edge systems are available for preorder, with shipping scheduled to commence on October 3. The Surface Laptop Go 3 starts at a competitive $799, while the Laptop Studio 2 is positioned as a premium offering, with a starting price of $1,999.

These launches come at a time when reports circulate about Panos Panay’s departure from the division, which allegedly stemmed from budget constraints and the cancellation of some experimental Surface devices.

Intel Introduces Meteor Lake CPUs with Dedicated AI Engine: A Leap Forward in Mobile Processing

Intel, the powerhouse of PC silicon, has just unveiled a game-changing addition to its mobile processor family. During the Intel Innovation event held on Tuesday, the company took the wraps off its much-anticipated Meteor Lake processors, now rebranded as Core Ultra chips after Intel decided to retire the “Core i” naming convention in June 2023. Scheduled for release on December 14, these new chips are expected to find their way into laptops hitting the market in the first quarter of 2024. This announcement not only excites tech enthusiasts but also ignites a crucial question: Can Intel-powered Windows laptops finally compete with Apple’s sleek and efficient MacBooks? To answer this, we must delve into the intricacies of Intel’s Meteor Lake and its forthcoming successors.

Meteor Lake: A Landmark in Intel’s Evolution

Meteor Lake isn’t just another processor in Intel’s arsenal; it represents a pivotal moment in the company’s journey. This processor marks the debut of Intel’s cutting-edge “Intel 4” (7nm) architecture, a substantial leap in terms of efficiency and power compared to the previous 12th and 13th generation Alder Lake and Raptor Lake CPUs. It’s worth noting that competitors like Apple have already ventured into the realm of 3nm processes with their ARM-based Apple A17 Bionic Pro, as seen in the iPhone 15 Pro lineup. However, Intel remains steadfast on the classic x86-64 architecture.

Furthermore, Intel’s Meteor Lake will feature a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for the first time, aimed at turbocharging AI performance. This development underscores Intel’s commitment to delivering chips that strike the ideal balance between efficiency and computational prowess, meeting the demands of modern AI computing.

Tailored Efficiency

While Meteor Lake promises outstanding efficiency, Intel recognizes the divergent needs of desktop and laptop users. Desktop users often prioritize sheer computing power, whereas laptop users seek a delicate equilibrium between performance and battery life. To cater to this distinction, Intel has concentrated its efforts on laptops with its Core Ultra chips, leveraging the cutting-edge FOVEROS 3D packaging technology. These Meteor Lake chips will be exclusively tailored for laptops, while Intel plans to unveil revised Raptor Lake CPUs for the desktop market. The Core Ultra chips feature new P and E-cores meticulously optimized for power efficiency, resulting in graphics performance that’s twice as fast in terms of performance per watt. Alongside this, the inclusion of an NPU for AI tasks firmly establishes Intel’s Core Ultra as a testament to the company’s latest innovations.

Redefining CPU Cores

Intel has adopted a chiplet approach to enhance the power efficiency of its processors, decentralizing certain CPU functions.

Each Meteor Lake chip comprises two primary components: a “low-power island” capable of autonomous operation, complete with its own CPU core, AI coprocessor, media engine, and memory. Complementing this is a “Compute Tile” on Intel 4, housing the P and E cores (named Redwood Cove and Crestmont), and a separate Graphics Tile manufactured on TSMC N5. The Thread Director plays a crucial role, ensuring tasks are assigned to higher-power cores only after lower-power ones have exhausted their capabilities.

The AI coprocessor is a separate entity that Windows can directly access and monitor through Task Manager. The “Media” function is decoupled from the “Graphics” function, enabling video encoding and decoding without relying on the graphics tile. Intel has also introduced hardware support for features like the AV1 film grain, previously executed using GPU shaders. The SoC tile further supports AV1 video, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, 8K HDR video, or up to four 4K displays, in addition to Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 7.

Advancements in Graphics

Intel’s focus extends beyond CPU enhancements, as it introduces the next generation of integrated graphics with Meteor Lake. The Xe LPG graphics architecture offers enhanced efficiency compared to its predecessor, Xe LP. This enhanced efficiency translates into higher frequencies at lower voltages, ultimately contributing to improved battery life. Furthermore, Xe LPG brings key features from Intel’s Xe HPG discrete graphics, including dedicated raytracing accelerators and support for DirectX 12 Ultimate. Intel’s upscaling technology, XeSS, provides additional benefits such as support for 8K displays and HDMI 2.1.

TSMC: Competitor and Collaborator

Intel’s journey has been riddled with challenges, with competitors like TSMC and AMD making substantial strides in the semiconductor industry. Interestingly, TSMC wears a dual hat, serving as both a competitor and partner to Intel by manufacturing a significant portion of the chipsets inside Meteor Lake. While TSMC competes with Intel in various markets, it also plays a pivotal role in advancing Intel’s chip technology, highlighting the intricate dynamics of semiconductor manufacturing.

What Lies Ahead for Intel?

Beyond Meteor Lake, Intel has an exciting roadmap that promises further innovations. Chief Executive Pat Gelsinger has unveiled processors scheduled for release in 2024 and 2025: Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake in 2024, followed by Panther Lake in 2025. These processors are integral to Intel’s ambitious plans as the company strives to regain its leadership in processor design and manufacturing.

SambaNova Unveils New AI Chip to Power Full-Stack AI Platform

Today, SambaNova Systems, headquartered in Palo Alto, made a groundbreaking announcement with the introduction of their cutting-edge AI chip, the SN40L. This chip is set to power their comprehensive Large Language Model (LLM) platform known as the SambaNova Suite, designed to assist enterprises in seamlessly transitioning from chip to model, enabling them to build and deploy tailored generative AI models.

Rodrigo Liang, the co-founder and CEO of SambaNova Systems, shared insights with VentureBeat, emphasizing that SambaNova goes above and beyond Nvidia in terms of offering a holistic approach to model training for enterprises.

“Many individuals were captivated by our infrastructure capabilities, but they faced a common challenge—lack of expertise. As a result, they often outsourced model development to other companies like OpenAI,” explained Liang.

Recognizing this gap, SambaNova embarked on what can be likened to a “Linux” moment for AI. In line with this philosophy, the company not only provides pre-trained foundational models but also offers a meticulously curated collection of open-source generative AI models optimized for enterprise use, whether on-premises or in the cloud.

Liang elaborated on their approach: “We take the base model and handle all the fine-tuning required for enterprise applications, including hardware optimization. Most customers prefer not to grapple with hardware intricacies. They don’t want to be in the business of sourcing GPUs or configuring GPU structures.”

Importantly, SambaNova’s commitment to excellence extends well beyond chip development, as Liang firmly asserts, “When it comes to chips, pound for pound, we outperform Nvidia.”

According to a press release, SambaNova’s SN40L is capable of serving a staggering 5 trillion parameter model, with the potential for sequence lengths exceeding 256k on a single system node. This achievement translates into superior model quality, faster inference and training times, all while reducing the total cost of ownership. Moreover, the chip’s expanded memory capabilities unlock the potential for true multimodal applications within Large Language Models (LLMs), empowering companies to effortlessly search, analyze, and generate data across various modalities.

Furthermore, SambaNova Systems has unveiled several additional enhancements and innovations within the SambaNova Suite:

Llama2 Variants (7B, 70B): These state-of-the-art open-source language models empower customers to adapt, expand, and deploy the finest LLM models available, all while maintaining ownership of these models.
BLOOM 176B: Representing the most accurate multilingual foundation model in the open-source realm, BLOOM 176B enables customers to tackle a wider array of challenges across diverse languages, with the flexibility to extend the model to support low-resource languages.
New Embeddings Model: This model facilitates vector-based retrieval augmented generation, enabling customers to embed documents into vector representations. During the question and answer process, these embeddings can be retrieved without triggering hallucinations. Subsequently, the LLM processes the results for analysis, extraction, or summarization.
Automated Speech Recognition Model: SambaNova Systems introduces a world-leading automated speech recognition model, capable of transcribing and analyzing voice data.
Additional Multi-Modal and Long Sequence Length Capabilities: The company also unveils a host of enhancements, including inference-optimized systems with 3-tier Dataflow memory, ensuring uncompromised high bandwidth and capacity.

With the launch of the SN40L chip and the continuous evolution of the SambaNova Suite, SambaNova Systems is positioned to revolutionize the AI landscape, making it more accessible and practical for enterprises, while simultaneously setting new standards in AI chip performance.

The Supercomputer Showdown: China vs. the US – Who Holds the Lead?

Supercomputers, those behemoths of computing power, are a world apart from your trusty personal computer. Employed by scientists, tech companies, and research facilities, these colossal machines are pivotal for testing theories and crunching massive datasets. Keeping a finger on the pulse of the global supercomputer landscape is the biannual Top500 List, released in November and June. It’s the ultimate ranking, eagerly anticipated and closely watched. However, the rankings have been influenced by socio-political factors over the years.

Jack Dongarra, a professor at the University of Tennessee and co-founder of the Top500 list, recently spoke to the South China Morning Post. He revealed that China has three cutting-edge supercomputers in operation, unbeknownst to the world due to US sanctions.

Stringent US sanctions restrict China’s access to critical technologies, including chipmaking, with an outright ban on importing advanced technology that may have military or intelligence applications, such as AI.

China’s Technological Prowess Despite Sanctions

The reigning champion on the June 2023 Top500 list is ‘Frontier,’ an exascale computing marvel located at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. In stark contrast, China’s highest-ranking supercomputer, ‘Sunway TaihuLight,’ sits at seventh place, with an HPL performance that’s only a fraction of Frontier’s. But Dongarra insists that China possesses supercomputers with peak performance exceeding Frontier’s.

“China has had these supercomputers for some time now. While they haven’t undergone benchmark testing, the research community has a fair understanding of their architectures and capabilities through scientific publications,” Dongarra commented to SCMP.

The US-China Tech Rivalry

In 2013, China’s Tianhe-2 system dethroned the US’ Titan to become the world’s top supercomputer according to the Top500 list. In response, the US banned Intel from supplying chips for Tianhe-2’s upgrade. Furthermore, in 2021, the US blacklisted seven supercomputer centers involved in developing China’s next-generation supercomputers.

The chips barred by the US are pivotal for achieving supercomputing excellence. Last month, the Biden administration escalated sanctions by prohibiting US investments in Chinese entities across three sectors: semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum information technologies, and select artificial intelligence systems.

While a Stanford study indicates that the US dominates in the production of significant language and multimodal models, Dongarra asserts that China retains its supremacy in supercomputer manufacturing.

“China remains the leading producer of supercomputers. With a combination of domestic and Western-designed chips, China assembles supercomputers that are exported worldwide, even to the US,” he added.

In the race for supercomputing dominance, it’s clear that both China and the US are still fiercely competitive, despite the hurdles posed by geopolitical tensions and sanctions.

Apple Secures Extended Chip Development Deal with Arm

Apple and Arm have announced a groundbreaking long-term partnership in chip technology, as revealed in documents submitted by Arm for its initial public offering (IPO) on Tuesday. This extraordinary agreement is set to span well beyond the year 2040, marking a significant milestone in the tech industry.

As reported by Reuters on Wednesday, Arm’s anticipated IPO is making waves with an estimated value of $52 billion, positioning it as the largest IPO in the United States for the year 2023. The parent company, SoftBank Group, plans to sell 95.5 million American depository shares of Arm, valuing them between $47 and $51 each.

Apple’s renowned chip technology, often referred to as Apple Silicon, encompasses a series of custom processors designed on Arm’s architecture, bundled into system-on-chip (SoC) packages. These chips power a wide range of Apple devices, including Mac computers, iPhones, iPads, and more. Apple’s strategic shift away from Intel CPUs in favor of its proprietary Arm-based chips, initiated in June 2020, represents a pivotal moment in the company’s hardware evolution, granting Apple unparalleled control over the synergy between its hardware and software ecosystems.

Apple’s bespoke CPUs, exemplified by the Apple M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max, have garnered global acclaim for their exceptional performance and energy efficiency. These processors, built on the “big.LITTLE” architecture, seamlessly blend high-performance and energy-efficient cores, exclusively tailored for Apple’s product lineup. Moreover, Apple’s Silicon chips incorporate custom-built Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), renowned for their graphics prowess and adeptness in machine learning and artificial intelligence tasks.

The unified memory architecture inherent in Apple Silicon chips promotes efficient sharing of high-bandwidth memory among CPUs, GPUs, and other components. Apple further enhances its CPUs with specialized coprocessors such as the Secure Enclave for security-related functions and the Neural Engine for AI and machine learning workloads.

Apple’s dedication to CPU development has consistently yielded products like the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini, which have been lauded for their remarkable performance and reduced power consumption. With each product iteration, Apple strives to refine its CPUs, continually investing in innovation.

By pursuing in-house CPU development, Apple achieves closer hardware-software integration, resulting in superior user experiences and overall performance enhancement across its product spectrum. This newly inked deal with Arm is poised to elevate Apple’s pursuit of this ambitious goal.

Notably, the majority of smartphones in the market today rely on Arm’s computer architecture. Arm licenses this architecture to various companies, including Apple, cementing its status as a critical player in the tech ecosystem.

The history of collaboration between Apple and Arm runs deep. Apple was among the founding members of Arm in 1990 and employed an Arm-based processor chip in its ill-fated “Newton” portable computer, launched in 1993. Despite the “Newton’s” shortcomings, this longstanding partnership has yielded numerous breakthroughs, with Arm now reigning supreme in mobile phone processors thanks in part to this enduring collaboration.

Lenovo Unveils Innovative Gaming Glasses and Handheld Portal PC at IFA

The IFA event in Berlin is officially underway, and Lenovo has undoubtedly made a striking entrance. Lenovo’s willingness to explore new avenues in the world of consumer electronics has earned it recognition in the past, and this year is no exception.

At IFA, Lenovo has placed a significant emphasis on gaming, particularly through its Legion product lineup. Two noteworthy additions have taken the spotlight. First on the list is the Legion Glasses, a rather unexpected addition. In a world where augmented reality remains fragmented, this Chinese manufacturer is stepping up its game, but not in the realm of casual gaming. Instead, Lenovo is targeting the realm of PC gaming.

Comparisons can be drawn with Apple’s Vision Pro, as both devices delve into spatial computing to some extent. However, the Legion Glasses could be best described as a “wearable display” designed to replicate the experience of a large gaming monitor. This feat is achieved through the integration of Micro-OLED panels, boasting an impressive resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 for each eye and a 60Hz refresh rate.

What’s even more impressive is the price point: Lenovo manages to keep it at an accessible $329, considering the advanced technology involved. These glasses are set to hit the market in October, alongside another exciting release, the Legion Go.

Some have drawn comparisons to Nintendo’s Switch due to its onboard processing power, powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme—a contrast to the Steam Deck’s reliance on streaming. The advantages of local gaming are evident to anyone who has experienced even the slightest latency issue with cloud gaming.

Lenovo’s handheld device features an 8.8-inch QHD Plus display and a respectable 49.2Wh battery, making it a compelling option for PC gaming enthusiasts on the go. With 16GB of RAM and storage options of up to 1TB, it offers a robust gaming experience. The detachable controls, reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch, add a nice touch to the overall design. However, this handheld gaming marvel comes at a price of $699.

In conclusion, Lenovo’s bold moves at IFA showcase their commitment to pushing the boundaries of gaming technology. With the Legion Glasses and the Legion Go, they are poised to offer gamers unique and immersive experiences, further cementing their position in the gaming hardware market.

Intel’s Sierra Forest Chip Revolutionizes Data Center Efficiency

Intel’s latest innovation, the Sierra Forest chip, is set to redefine efficiency standards in the realm of microchips. With a launch projected for 2024, this cutting-edge data center chip boasts an unparalleled double-efficiency feature while maintaining the same power consumption as its counterparts. This development aligns seamlessly with the industry-wide commitment to curbing power usage and enhancing both cost-effectiveness and ecological sustainability.

At a prominent semiconductor technology conference hosted by Stanford University in Silicon Valley, Intel took the wraps off the upcoming “Sierra Forest” chip. What sets this chip apart is its remarkable promise of delivering a remarkable 240% improvement in performance per watt compared to Intel’s current generation of data center chips. This revelation holds profound implications, particularly given the staggering electricity consumption of data centers that drive the modern digital landscape. With mounting pressure on technology firms to rein in energy usage, this breakthrough could be a game-changer.

The insatiable appetite for energy within data centers, mainly driven by server maintenance, prompted Intel’s innovation. To put the figures in perspective, C and C Technology Group estimates that data centers gulp down about 1,000 kWh per square meter—a staggering tenfold more than an average American household. This prodigious energy demand is primarily attributed to server racks, the backbone of data centers, which not only require substantial power to function but also demand extensive energy resources to maintain optimal temperatures. The inefficiency of cooling systems further compounds the issue, accounting for a staggering 70% of a data center’s total energy consumption.

The conspicuous culprits in this energy-intensive scenario are servers and cooling systems, necessitating a concerted drive toward efficiency optimization. The challenge is further exacerbated by outdated servers and network communication tools that remain conspicuous energy hogs. Enter Intel, aiming to maximize computational output per chip to address these challenges head-on.

Notably, the scene isn’t exclusive to Intel; competitors are also in the race to harness efficiency. Ampere Computing, a startup founded by former Intel executives, introduced a cloud-computing-centric chip that effectively handles demanding tasks. Responding to this challenge, both Intel and rival Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) have rolled out comparable offerings, with AMD’s version hitting the market in June of this year.

The spotlight returned to Intel as it unveiled plans for the impending release of the “Sierra Forest” chip in the coming year. What distinguishes this launch is Intel’s strategic segmentation of its data center chip lineup for the first time. The division comprises the high-performance “Granite Rapids” chip, characterized by higher power consumption, and the more energy-efficient “Sierra Forest” chip. This move is a strategic response to Intel’s dwindling market share in the data center sector, an arena where AMD and Ampere have managed to carve out a competitive foothold.

Ronak Singhal, a senior fellow at Intel, underlines the transformative potential of the “Sierra Forest” chip for data centers. By consolidating legacy software onto fewer computers within a data center, substantial power savings become feasible. Singhal’s explanation is simple yet profound: “I may have things that are four or five, six years old. I can get power savings by moving something that’s currently on five, 10 or 15 different servers into a single” new chip. This density-centric approach not only drives down the total cost of ownership but also necessitates fewer systems, embodying a promising stride toward a more sustainable future for data centers.