NVIDIA Transforms Into Multi-Chip Data Center Powerhouse at GTC 2021
NVIDIA expands far beyond its GPU roots at GTC 2021 by announcing a new Arm-based CPU, advanced data processing units, and enhanced enterprise AI systems.
NVIDIA uses its GTC 2021 event to redefine its corporate identity, proving it is no longer just a GPU company. The tech giant positions itself as a comprehensive accelerated computing leader by revealing plans to become a three-chip company, a major strategic shift for a business historically focused solely on graphics processing units.
The flagship hardware announcement is Grace, an Arm-based data center CPU designed for massive AI and high-performance computing workloads. Named after computing pioneer Grace Hopper and scheduled for an early 2023 launch, this processor promises ten times faster AI performance than current x86 CPUs and features next-generation NVLink technology for incredible 900 GB/s bi-directional bandwidth between the CPU and Ampere GPUs.
Beyond the new CPU, NVIDIA expands its data center portfolio with BlueField-3 DPUs, new DGX appliances, and updated Ampere-architecture GPU boards for professional workstations. The company also pushes heavily into enterprise software with the general availability of NVIDIA Omniverse Enterprise, a groundbreaking platform that allows global 3D design teams to collaborate in real-time within a shared virtual space across multiple software suites.