A new report states that ARM is developing a dGPU aimed at the video game market and could potentially apply the technology for AI use. The report says that ARM is developing the graphics processing unit using roughly 100 software development engineers and chip designers at its facility in Ra’anana, Israel. This is the same development center where ARM’s Immortalis GPU, its first to feature hardware-accelerated ray tracing, was developed. The Immortalis and Mali G715 also feature VRS (variable-rate shading) for improved performance, another feature found in discreet GPUs. Clearly, ARM has seen success in the Mobile arena and is looking for new challenges and areas of growth. It is believed that the new dGPU is intended to compete with NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel in the gaming sector.
ARM already supplies technology via its intellectual property and designs to those whom it could soon compete with. Unlike the well-known names in the tech industry ARM does not manufacture its own chips, it provides chip designs, software, and support through contracts. Its customers include tech industry giants Amazon, Apple, Google, Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA. The chip designer has recently begun entering the PC market through its partnership with Qualcomm. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processing units, including the Snapdragon Elite, which can be found in a number of Windows-based laptops and desktops, have also enabled it to enter the AI market as well.
It’s speculated that ARM could further expand a dGPU division to grow into the AI accelerator industry, just as NVIDIA has done with its technologies. ARM has not commented on the report.
Report details (per Globes):
- “ARM is estimated to be employing about 100 chip and software development engineers, in its global graphics processing group at its development center in Ra’anana.”
- “At this stage, ARM is reportedly engaged in graphic processing for the video game market, and at the same time – as was the case with Nvidia – the technology could also be used for AI processing, if and when ARM decides to fully enter the field.”
- “The company is believed to have plans to launch AI processors for its own servers to compete with Nvidia’s and there have also been reports that together with MTK and Nvidia, ARM plans to launch AI processors for personal computers that will compete with those of Intel and AMD.”