Ampere Computing introduces 32-core ARM-based Ampere CPU to compete with the Intel Xeon Processors that has already dominated the server market. Traditionally, the RISC architecture used by ARM processors has been considered more suitable for lightweight devices such as smartphones, tablets, low-power notebooks, Raspberry Micro PCs, etc. But new generations of ARM processors are striving to be used in high-performance notebooks or even in servers …. to be used in servers. Ampere has announced a 32-core ARM CPU to compete with Intel in the server market.
An ARM-compatible CPU uses the RISC architecture, which has a smaller number of instructions than the CISC architecture used by Intel and other computer CPU manufacturers with a full set of instructions while also using more power and more heat.
Ampere Computing is a company founded by former Intel President Renée James, a specialist in the development of ARM-compatible processors for edge servers and cloud services.
The new 64-bit ARMv8 Ampere CPU announced today offers 32 cores at 3.3GHz in turbo mode, 32MB of L3 cache, and support for up to 1TB of DDR4 DRAM memory at 2667MHz. It has 42 PCIe 3.0 lines and a power consumption of 125W.
First Gen Ampere CPU Price
The 32-core version costs $850. Also, there is a 16-core version that stays at $550.
They are manufactured using 16 nm FinFET technology. However, that method is outperformed by competing processors that use 7 or 10 nm FinFET. Ampere argues that they chose this method because the 16 nm manufacturing is stable and efficient, of course, and it was the one when they started to develop the chip.
However, if you want to sell processors for servers, the important thing is not a particular SoC, but its roadmap, in other words, the development map. Ampere has already announced that the second generation of ARM CPUs for servers scheduled to arrive in 2019 that will be produced with FinFET 7 nm technology.
Even lower power consumption coupled with increased performance can be enough to attract the attention of key customers in this industry such as Facebook and Google.
Intel dominates the data center world with market shares of nearly 90 percent, but its 7-nanometer chips are unlikely to arrive before 2020. This will give some room not only for Ampere but also for all other vendors interested in entering the business such as Qualcomm and AMD.
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