Google unveils Arm-based data center processor

Google announced a new version of the data center TPU and an Arm-based processor. The new v5p TPU is designed to run on 8,960-chip blocks, and the Axion processor will be available later this year via the Google Cloud platform.

Tech Apr 15, 2024 0 159 Add to Reading List

Google unveils Arm-based data center processor

Google has unveiled an update to its data center Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and a new Arm-based CPU.

Google's TPUs provide a competitive alternative to Nvidia's advanced AI chips. And the Arm-based central processing unit, called Axion, will be available through Google Cloud.

The company's cloud rivals, such as Amazon and Microsoft, are already using Arm processors to differentiate their computing services. Google, in turn, has developed its own chips for various services, including YouTube, AI and its smartphones.

The new TPU v5p is designed to run on blocks of 8,960 chips and is capable of delivering twice the performance of the previous generation. To achieve maximum performance, Google uses liquid cooling.

Google says Axion delivers 30% more performance than mainstream chips and 50% more performance than current-generation x86 chips from Intel and Advanced Micro Devices.

The data center processor is already used in several Google services, including advertising on YouTube and Google Cloud. This year, the company plans to expand the use of Axion and make it available to a wider audience.