Nvidia chip Archives - Gizmochina

Global shortage of Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card – wait time extends to 4 months

Joane — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:45:02 +0000

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 has become one of the hardest-to-find graphics cards, with a global shortage affecting availability. Many customers are facing long waiting times, with some delays stretching up to 16 weeks.

Overclockers UK (OCUK) confirmed that all RTX 50 series graphics cards sold out within hours of release. Due to overwhelming demand, the retailer has temporarily halted pre-orders. Customers who have not received shipping confirmation are being placed in a pre-order queue.

Estimated availability and price surge

The RTX 5090 is expected to be available within 3 to 16 weeks, while the RTX 5080 may arrive sooner, with an estimated wait time of 2 to 6 weeks. However, supply remains uncertain.

Scalpers are taking advantage of the shortage, selling RTX 50 series cards at two to three times their retail price on platforms like eBay. The RTX 5090, which has an MSRP of $1,999, is being resold for $2,300 to $2,600. The RTX 5080, originally priced at $999, is now selling for $1,100 to $1,300.

The shortage is partly due to Nvidia’s reliance on TSMC’s wafer production, which is also used for Blackwell accelerators. This competition for manufacturing capacity has further limited the supply of RTX 50 series GPUs.

Retailer Measures and Stock Rumors

In Japan, retailers are using a lottery system to allow customers to purchase the RTX 5090 or 5080. Reports indicate that some retailers had no RTX 5090 stock at all on launch day. Others, like MSI, will not ship the RTX 5090 until February 6.

Industry experts suggest that RTX 5090 stock will remain tight until at least March 2025, while RTX 5080 availability could improve sooner. Meanwhile, AMD’s RX 9070 is expected to launch in March 2025, possibly as a competitor.

For now, consumers are advised to hold onto their existing graphics cards. Supply remains tight, and prices are much higher than expected due to scalping.

NVIDIA chip supply unaffected by the 7.5-magnitude Taiwan Earthquake

Joane — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 10:48:32 +0000

After the powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake near Taiwan, worries have emerged regarding possible interruptions to the worldwide chip supply chain. Taiwan is a major hub for semiconductor manufacturing, and so speculations have risen about the condition of the semiconductor factories in the aftermath of the earthquake. However, NVIDIA, one of the largest companies in the AI sector, has assured stakeholders that its chip supply remains unharmed.

US-based NVIDIA, which heavily relies on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) for its chip production, has confirmed that the earthquake has not impacted its supply chain in the country. TSMC, responsible for fabricating chips for numerous tech giants like Apple, AMD, Qualcomm, and NVIDIA, has reported no damage to critical chip-making equipment, including the Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography machines.

Although some tools were damaged at certain TSMC facilities, the core machinery remains intact. TSMC temporarily evacuated some production facilities as a precautionary measure, to ensure the safety of its employees. However, within just 10 hours after the earthquake, operations have resumed at 70-80% capacity.

TSMC said that it could resume its operations quickly thanks to its preparedness for such events. For instance, TSMC has used building dampers and conducted regular earthquake drills to mitigate the impact of any seismic activity on semiconductor production.

Semiconductor manufacturing requires precise and uninterrupted operations in controlled environments. Even small issues or interruptions can cause major losses, such as discarding entire silicon wafers. However, TSMC’s readiness for earthquakes, and protective measures, helped in safeguarding its production line.

The last notable disruption experienced by TSMC was in 2016 when manufacturing facilities in Tainan suffered damage, resulting in the loss of wafers. Since then, TSMC has continually refined its strategies to ensure minimal disruptions during natural disasters.

NVIDIA cannot survive without TSMC’s Chip Supply

TSMC is NVIDIA’s primary chip manufacturer and supplier of the latest semiconductor technology. NVIDIA relies on TSMC’s cutting-edge manufacturing processes to produce high-performance GPUs such as the latest Blackwell architecture models.

The collaboration between NVIDIA and TSMC ensures efficient chip designs and supply. However, TSMC’s contributions span beyond GPUs and include other essential semiconductor technologies for NVIDIA’s products. This partnership guarantees a reliable chip supply, crucial for meeting market demands and maintaining NVIDIA’s competitive advantage.

TSMC is the biggest chip maker globally, with more than half of the global market share. If anything happens to TSMC, it would not only affect NVIDIA but also other leading AI and technology firms as it would affect their chip production and potentially disrupt their supply chains. Any risk to TSMC is concerning for NVIDIA and the global tech sector, as it could significantly affect technological progress worldwide.

(via)

The post NVIDIA chip supply unaffected by the 7.5-magnitude Taiwan Earthquake appeared first on Gizmochina.

Non-tech companies in China turn to Nvidia amid escalating US-China tech conflict

Joane — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 11:30:14 +0000

In a strategic response to the intensifying tech war between Washington and Beijing, several non-tech Chinese firms are rushing to acquire Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs) for artificial intelligence (AI) development. Among them is Shenzhen-listed landscape designer L&A Design, signaling a trend that highlights the broader impact of geopolitical tensions on the global technology landscape.

L&A Design’s Strategic Move:

L&A Design recently disclosed a substantial investment, amounting to 435 million yuan (US$60.5 million), to acquire up to 128 units of Nvidia servers with high-performance GPUs through a subsidiary. The move aims to bolster the company’s AI capabilities and navigate the complexities arising from the US-China tech conflict. The purchase, facilitated by Shenzhen Runxin Supply Chain, is set to be completed in two phases, with 64 servers expected by 2023, and the remaining by the end of 2024.

Market Response and Nvidia’s Adaptations:

Following the announcement, L&A Design’s stock price surged by the daily limit of 20%, reflecting investor confidence in the strategic decision. In response to US sanctions, Nvidia modified its chips, creating the A800 and H800 variants tailored for Chinese clients. However, subsequent controls in October restricted the sale of these modified chips to China, necessitating companies like L&A Design to explore alternative sources for their AI development needs.

Diversification Beyond Tech Firms:

L&A Design follows in the footsteps of Lotus Health, a powdered flavor maker, which previously revealed a deal to purchase Nvidia H800 GPU-based servers from Chinese server maker H3C. This growing trend underscores the broader impact of the US-China tech conflict on industries beyond the traditional technology sector.

Global Impact on Nvidia:

As US export restrictions impact Nvidia’s lower computing power AI chip products designed for the Chinese market, the company anticipates a significant hit to its fourth-quarter earnings. With over 90% of China’s $7 billion market for AI chips, Nvidia faces challenges from established players and emerging Chinese chip designers.

Chinese Chip Designers Challenge Nvidia’s Dominance:

In response to Nvidia’s challenges, Chinese chip designers, including major players like Huawei and Tencent, are aggressively entering the AI chip market. Huawei’s Ascend 910B chip and Tencent’s Zixiao AI inference chip are positioned as alternatives, with Tencent actively promoting its offerings to attract Nvidia’s clients.

Market Opportunity Amid Restrictions:

Despite potential challenges in winning orders due to production capacity constraints, Chinese chip designers view the current situation as an opportunity. US export curbs inadvertently fuel China’s self-development capability, with Chinese tech giants prioritizing sustainability over performance and building AI ecosystems without reliance on US chips.

In essence, the rush of non-tech Chinese firms towards Nvidia GPUs signals a broader reshaping of the global AI landscape, driven by geopolitical tensions and the pursuit of technological self-sufficiency.

Related:

(via)

The post Non-tech companies in China turn to Nvidia amid escalating US-China tech conflict appeared first on Gizmochina.

Nvidia CEO comments on Semiconductor challenges: Will take US 10 to 20 years to attain semiconductor independence

Joane — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 14:56:49 +0000

Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, delivered crucial insights at The New York Times’ DealBook conference in New York, shedding light on the challenging path towards achieving semiconductor supply chain independence for the United States. According to Huang, the nation faces a formidable 10 to 20-year timeline due to the intricate nature of the task and the global interconnectivity of chip production.

Huang underscored the complexity by revealing that Nvidia’s products heavily rely on components sourced globally, dispelling the notion of exclusive dependency on Taiwan, where critical elements are manufactured. This revelation poses a potential hurdle for the Biden administration’s objective of reshoring chip-making industries to the US, despite bipartisan efforts and legislative initiatives.

Addressing concerns on national security, Huang acknowledged the US government’s export restrictions on Nvidia, emphasizing the delicate balance between business operations and security imperatives. Despite these challenges, major players in the semiconductor industry, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), Samsung Electronics, and Intel, are actively planning expansions in the US. Europe, too, is working towards bolstering local semiconductor manufacturing to reduce reliance on global supply chains.

Interestingly, despite export restrictions imposed by the US government, Huang reiterated Nvidia’s commitment to China. The company is actively developing products for the Chinese market that comply with US regulations, aiming to navigate the regulatory landscape without triggering restrictions.

However, Huang warned of unintended consequences arising from export restrictions, noting that approximately 50 Chinese companies are now developing technology to compete with Nvidia’s offerings. To address regulatory challenges, Nvidia is adapting by working on new chips that comply with the latest export restriction rules, with plans to resume business in China once regulatory compliance is achieved.

In navigating this intricate landscape, Huang emphasized the importance of striking a balance between conducting business with various entities and addressing national security concerns.

Related:

(via)

The post Nvidia CEO comments on Semiconductor challenges: Will take US 10 to 20 years to attain semiconductor independence appeared first on Gizmochina.

US denies imposing export controls on Nvidia’s AI Chips for select Middle Eastern countries

Joane — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 10:07:00 +0000

In a significant development, the Biden administration has initiated measures to restrict the export of Nvidia’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) computer chips to select countries in the Middle East. The announcement came through a regulatory filing made by Nvidia, the prominent AI technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

Nvidia has earned a reputation as an AI powerhouse, primarily due to its advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) and semiconductors, which play a crucial role in powering and training AI platforms. The US government has now imposed export controls on Nvidia’s products, mandating the company to obtain permits before selling certain products to specified overseas customers. This move is driven by concerns that the advanced technology could potentially benefit adversaries such as China.

In a quarterly regulatory filing released recently, Nvidia disclosed these new export controls, shedding light on the company’s obligations to comply with the regulations. However, the specific countries in the Middle East subject to these export controls have not been explicitly mentioned in the filing, leaving room for speculation.

In response to these developments, the US Department of Commerce issued a statement emphasizing that it has not completely blocked chip sales to the Middle East. This clarification followed the disclosure that Washington had expanded export license requirements not only for Nvidia but also for Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), another major player in the field of artificial intelligence chips.

While the Commerce Department did not comment on whether new requirements were imposed on specific US companies, it is clear that both Nvidia and AMD are affected by the changes. As of now, neither company has confirmed whether they have applied for the required licenses or the status of their applications.

Export controls are typically put in place by US officials for national security reasons. Although a similar move last year signaled an escalation of the US government’s efforts to curb China’s technological capabilities, the specific risks associated with exports to the Middle East remain undisclosed.

It is worth noting that many of the restrictions on technology exports to China amount to a blanket denial of all licenses, reflecting the heightened scrutiny on sensitive technologies in today’s geopolitical landscape.

Biden administration’s decision to restrict Nvidia’s AI chip sales to certain Middle Eastern countries underscores the growing concerns surrounding advanced technology exports and national security. As the situation continues to evolve, industry watchers will closely monitor the impact of these export controls on the AI industry and international relations in the Middle East.

(via)

The post US denies imposing export controls on Nvidia’s AI Chips for select Middle Eastern countries appeared first on Gizmochina.