AMD Reveals Strategic Approach to CPUs, NPUs, and GPUs for AI-Powered Data Centers

Advanced Micro Devices' AI Strategy at Computex

At the Computex trade show in Taiwan, AMD CEO Lisa Su outlined the company's chip architecture strategy for AI data centers and PCs. She detailed AMD's plans for central processing units (CPUs), neural processing units (NPUs), and graphics processing units (GPUs), which together power comprehensive AI infrastructure from data centers to personal computers.

AMD Instinct Accelerator Roadmap

AMD introduced an expanded roadmap for its Instinct accelerators, establishing an annual release cycle of advanced AI products. The new AMD Instinct MI325X accelerator is set to launch in Q4 2024, followed by the MI350 series in 2025, which is anticipated to deliver up to a 35-fold increase in AI inference performance compared to the previous generation.

The upcoming AMD Instinct MI400 series, based on the next-generation CDNA “Next” architecture, is expected in 2026. "The MI300X accelerators are experiencing strong adoption from major partners, including Microsoft Azure and Meta, thanks to exceptional performance and value," said Brad McCredie, AMD's corporate vice president of Data Center Accelerated Compute. The new roadmap reflects AMD's commitment to innovation and leadership in the AI sector.

Enhancements in Software

AMD is continuing to develop its ROCm 6 open software stack to enhance performance for popular large language models. The updated Instinct roadmap highlights the MI325X, equipped with 288GB of HBM3E memory and 6 terabytes per second of memory bandwidth, providing superior specs compared to competitors.

Next-Gen Epyc and Ryzen Processors

At Computex, AMD also previewed its 5th Gen Epyc processors, codenamed “Turin,” which will utilize the “Zen 5” core, maintaining the family’s performance leadership. The Epyc processors are expected in the latter half of 2024. Additionally, AMD revealed the Ryzen AI 300 Series and Ryzen 9000 Series processors, which are designed for high performance across gaming, productivity, and content creation.

Collaboration with Industry Leaders

AMD's keynote featured partners like Microsoft and Lenovo, showcasing innovative new PC experiences powered by AMD technology. HP demonstrated its Copilot+ PCs, while Lenovo highlighted upcoming laptops utilizing Ryzen AI features. Asus showcased a diverse lineup of AI-powered PCs for various user needs.

Powering AI at the Edge

AMD is also advancing AI technology at the edge with the Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2, which integrates FPGA logic, AI Engines, and embedded CPUs for optimized performance. These devices are already being utilized in significant projects, such as Illumina's genome sequencing, Subaru's EyeSight ADAS platform, Canon's Free Viewpoint Video System, and Hitachi Energy's HVDC protection relays.

AMD's commitment to delivering innovative AI solutions positions the company at the forefront of the evolving tech landscape, driving next-generation AI capabilities across multiple industries.