Intel has announced plans to retool its Data Center GPU Max lineup, just weeks after the departure of Accelerated Computing Group lead Raja Koduri and the cancellation of the x86 titan’s next-gen Rialto Bridge platform.
The company will unlaunch its GPU Max 1350 accelerator card in favour of one better suited to “different markets,” an Intel spokesperson told The Register. One of the three cards announced last November, the GPU Max 1350 was positioned as Intel’s mid-tier datacenter card, with a 450W TDP and a conventional air cooler. With an air-cooled variant of the 1550 now also being offered, Intel is “streamlining” its product offerings by removing the 1350.
A Data Center GPU Max 1450 SKU will be introduced later in 2023, which has lower I/O bandwidth for different markets and will be able to use air- and liquid-cooling solutions.
Intel is said to be refactoring its datacenter GPU portfolio for the Chinese market, given that it accounts for a substantial chunk of the company’s revenues. Trade restrictions announced last fall barred the export of processors capable of 600GBps of I/O bandwidth to China.
Although the TDP of this new chip is unknown, Intel’s focus on other markets and reduced I/O bandwidth suggests it may be gearing up to sell the GPUs in China. Intel’s GPU line has been on uncertain footing since the corporation restructured its Accelerated Computing Group and demoted Koduri back to chief architect last winter. Earlier this month, the company’s GPU unit suffered another blow after Koduri jumped ship to pursue opportunities outside the company.
The sources for this piece include an article in TheRegister.