Intel announced on Monday that it is developing a new data center chip called “Sierra Forest” which is expected to provide over double the performance per watt compared to its current generation of data center chips. The chip is set to arrive next year, and it will mark the first time that Intel has disclosed specific figures regarding the efficiency of its data center chips.
With the growing demand for internet and online services, data centers consume massive amounts of electricity. This has resulted in increased pressure on technology companies to reduce their energy consumption. To address this issue, chip companies, including Intel, have been working to increase the computing power per chip.
Prior to Intel’s announcement, Ampere Computing, a startup founded by former Intel executives, was the first to introduce a chip designed for efficient cloud computing. Following suit, both Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) have announced similar products. AMD’s offering was launched in June.
The introduction of the “Sierra Forest” chip is crucial for Intel, as the company has lost market share to both AMD and Ampere in the data center sector. The chip will allow Intel to offer a more energy-efficient alternative and compete in the market.
Intel is dividing its data center chips into two categories for the first time. The “Granite Rapids” chip will focus on performance but consume more power, while the “Sierra Forest” chip will prioritize efficiency. Ronak Singhal, a senior fellow at Intel, highlighted the benefits of the new chip, noting that customers can consolidate their older software into a smaller number of computers within a data center. This consolidation improves power savings and reduces the total cost of ownership for customers.
The emphasis on efficiency is driven by the desire to reduce energy consumption and address environmental concerns. By improving the performance per watt, Intel aims to provide a greener and more sustainable solution for data centers.
Overall, Intel’s “Sierra Forest” chip represents a major step forward for the company as it seeks to regain its position in the data center market. The chip’s increased efficiency and performance per watt will not only benefit customers by lowering their energy costs but also contribute to the industry-wide effort to reduce electricity consumption.
Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Bill Berkrot
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
