The Circuit
Episode 105: Sanity Check on Custom ASICS?
Feb 17, 2025
Ben and Jay dive into the fascinating clash between ASICs and GPUs in AI computing. They discuss how custom silicon could disrupt the market, impacting giants like NVIDIA and AMD. The vital role of analog semiconductors is unveiled, revealing their significance in sectors like automotive and robotics. With humor, they explore the promise of home robots and the latest tech innovations, while also addressing rising inventory levels in the analog market. It's a lively mix of tech insights and future predictions!
41:50
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Quick takeaways
- The ongoing debate between ASICs and GPUs highlights the complexities in AI compute landscapes, affecting market dynamics for companies like NVIDIA and AMD.
- The rising demand for analog semiconductors, particularly in robotics and power management, reflects their critical role in evolving technological applications.
Deep dives
The Debate Between GPUs and Custom ASICs
The discussion centers on the ongoing debate about the future of AI compute, particularly the roles of GPUs and custom ASICs. Some believe that custom ASICs will dominate, potentially overshadowing GPUs, while others argue that GPUs still hold significant value due to their versatility and existing infrastructure. Custom ASICs have successfully driven efficiencies in specific internal workloads for hyperscalers, yet public cloud providers may find it more beneficial to leverage GPUs due to architectural compatibility and broader software support. The complexity involved in switching to custom ASICs, including potential lock-in effects and software porting costs, raises questions about their widespread adoption in public cloud environments.
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