Nvidia launches Ampere data center chips for AI workloads

Nvidia announced new graphics chips and computers for AI processing in data centers, framing its Ampere design as a major performance jump for training and inference workloads. CEO Jensen Huang said the chip is 20 times faster than its predecessors and can be repurposed between training models and running software that delivers real-time responses.

The company is selling Ampere-based DGX computers for $199,000 each and says the systems can replace larger, costlier racks built around Intel processors. In a typical data center, five DGX machines would outperform 600 servers using Intel chips and prior-generation Nvidia products, an array Nvidia said would have cost $11 million.

The launch comes as Nvidia faces expanding competition in AI hardware from Intel, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and startups pursuing new approaches to data center acceleration. Huang declined to name specific customers but said all major cloud providers have already taken delivery of Ampere-based computers.