Google Expands AI Chip Lineup to Four; Samsung and SK Accelerate Custom Memory

At a glance

Google unveiled the security-focused TPU '8tx' and the long-context TPU '8i Max', bringing its 8th-generation TPU lineup to four models. TPUs are AI chips Google designs. The high-bandwidth memory (HBM, fast memory attached to chips) that goes with each chip also varies by use.

Key points

1. 1

   Google added the security chip 8tx and the long-context chip 8i Max to the training 8t and inference 8i.

2. 2

   The inference chip 8i has more memory than the training chip 8t and moves data about 32% faster.

3. 3

   8i Max pairs two 8i chips in one package, doubling both compute power and memory bandwidth.

4. 4

   Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are developing memory tailored to customers such as Nvidia, AMD, and Google.

Why it matters

Each AI chip needs different memory, so the ability to build custom memory may decide competition in the industry going forward.

Also reported by

• The DecoderGoogle ships four TPU variants in one year as it ramps up competition with Nvidia
• TechCrunchGoogle broadens its AI hardware portfolio with two new specialized chips
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