Tag: NVIDIA

  • Nvidia CEO Visits Beijing Employees Instead of Trump’s Inauguration

    Nvidia CEO Visits Beijing Employees Instead of Trump’s Inauguration

    Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, recently made a trip to China to celebrate the Chinese New Year with his employees and to restate the firm’s dedication to its team and tech partnerships. This visit takes place against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions between the US and China, as well as export limits on advanced AI chips. Huang’s goal was to boost the spirits of the staff and underscore Nvidia’s commitment to the tech landscape in China. This visit underscores how crucial it is to uphold global teamwork to promote technological advancements, even when geopolitical issues are on the rise.

    Celebrating Employee Loyalty

    During his stay, Huang engaged in several events at Nvidia’s offices in Shenzhen and Beijing, including a Spring Festival party in the capital. He praised the team and highlighted Nvidia China’s impressively low turnover rate of 0.9%, which is significantly lower than the global average of 2%. Over the years, Nvidia’s workforce in China has expanded more than 50%, now numbering nearly 4,000 employees. Huang appreciated the dedication of the employees and their substantial role in Nvidia’s global achievements.

    China’s Contribution to Nvidia

    China plays an essential role for Nvidia, bringing in $5.4 billion in revenue for Q3 FY2024, marking a 34% increase from the previous year. The region represents 17% of Nvidia’s total income, making it one of the company’s major markets after the US and Singapore. Nvidia has partnered with over 3,000 Chinese startups and supports 1.5 million local developers utilizing CUDA, its unique AI programming platform.

    Navigating Geopolitical Tensions

    Huang’s trip coincided with stricter US export controls on AI chips directed at China. Nvidia has opposed these limitations, cautioning that they could damage innovation and the technological leadership of the US. In retaliation, China initiated an antitrust probe into Nvidia. Despite these obstacles, Huang reaffirmed Nvidia’s commitment to the Chinese market, calling the company’s 25-year journey in China a privilege.

    Huang’s visit also sparked rumors regarding the possible establishment of Nvidia’s Asia-Pacific headquarters, with Taiwan being a potential site. As China continues to aim for technological independence, Huang stressed Nvidia’s role in modernizing the industry and confirmed the company’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration.

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  • Nvidia DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation Might Reach Beyond RTX 50

    Nvidia DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation Might Reach Beyond RTX 50

    Nvidia is banking on the allure of DLSS 4 multi frame generation to persuade customers to move up to the RTX 50 series. This technology is unique to the new graphics cards, with the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 scheduled for release on January 30th. In a recent chat with Digital Foundry, Nvidia’s Bryan Catanzaro offered a glimmer of hope to gamers, suggesting that the standout feature of DLSS 4 might eventually be available for the RTX 30 or RTX 40 series.

    Advantages Beyond Multi Frame Generation

    While multi frame generation is the star of the show, it’s not the only benefit of Nvidia’s DLSS 4. Other features, such as Super Resolution and Ray Reconstruction, will be improved for the RTX 30 and 40 series as well. However, the enhanced frame generation is expected to deliver significant performance boosts in the upcoming graphics cards. These improvements mainly come from smarter AI, which enhances speed and efficiency. Since multi frame generation relies less on the hardware, it faces fewer obstacles regarding backward compatibility.

    Optimistic Outlook for Older Cards

    During the discussion with Digital Foundry, Bryan Catanzaro acknowledged that multi frame generation might make its way to older Nvidia graphics cards. Although the company is concentrating on the RTX 50 series, this focus might shift with proper optimization. Nevertheless, gamers should temper their expectations. Early performance tests indicate that the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 significantly depend on the new DLSS 4 feature to achieve the claimed performance improvements. If multi frame generation becomes available for older GPUs, the incentive to upgrade could diminish.

    Currently, owners of the RTX 30 series are limited to using FSR 3, AMD’s version of frame generation. The actual performance of DLSS 4 multi frame generation in practical situations will be more evident soon. Review embargoes lift on January 24th for the RTX 5090 and on January 30th for the RTX 5080.

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    Nvidia DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation Might Reach Beyond RTX 50
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  • Limited RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 Launch Supply Similar to RTX 3090

    Limited RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 Launch Supply Similar to RTX 3090

    The new RTX 50 “Blackwell” series graphics cards, the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, are scheduled to hit the market on January 30, starting at prices of $1,999 and $999, respectively. However, it seems that getting hold of these GPUs might not be easy. Rumors from the PCGH forums suggest that, at launch, availability of the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 could be limited in Germany.

    Challenges in North America

    The situation in North America doesn’t appear to be any better. A leak from Moore’s Law Is Dead indicates troubling news about the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 supply. But it’s vital to consider these claims as unverified information from unnamed sources. So, it’s best to approach them with a healthy dose of skepticism.

    One distributor in North America mentioned to MLID that they would not receive any RTX 5090 units at launch, and only about 20 RTX 5080 GPUs. This is significantly lower than the “couple of hundred RTX 4080s” they managed to acquire back in 2022. The distributor also predicts that RTX 5090 supply might not arrive until late Q1 or Q2.

    AIBs Facing Similar Issues

    The outlook for AIBs (Add-In Board partners) appears grim too. An AIB source told Tom that they would receive the same quantity of RTX 5090s at launch as they did with the RTX 3090s, along with an RTX 5080 supply that’s just a “fraction” of what they got for the RTX 4080 two years ago. The RTX 3090 had a notoriously limited launch, making it difficult to purchase on release day. This doesn’t bode well if the RTX 5090 has a similar or even lower supply.

    Interestingly, it seems not just gamers will face difficulty. An Nvidia source revealed that the company’s internal Employee Store will have very few RTX 5090 Founders Edition cards available. Reportedly, Nvidia employees found it much easier to purchase an RTX 4080 Founders Edition at launch from the same store.

    A Glimmer of Hope for the RTX 5080

    On a somewhat positive note, an AIB in the EU indicated that while the RTX 5090 may be quite scarce, the initial launch supply for the RTX 5080 should be adequate.

    Overall, it appears that enthusiasts eager for the RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 might need to engage in some serious searching. Here’s hoping the launch of the RTX 50 series goes smoother than the launches of the RTX 30 and RTX 40 series, so gamers don’t end up paying inflated prices to acquire these GPUs.

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    Limited RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 Launch Supply Similar to RTX 3090
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  • GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 Expected to Have Limited Stock in Germany

    GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 Expected to Have Limited Stock in Germany

    Gaming hardware has been facing shortage problems since 2020. Although the supply chain has mostly bounced back, new releases like the Ryzen 9000X3D and Arc B570 show that fulfilling demand is still a tricky task. A recent thread on PCGH suggests that high-end GeForce RTX 50-series GPUs, particularly the GeForce RTX 5090, might encounter similar supply issues in Germany.

    Moderator Insights

    The information comes from a moderator on PCGH who claims to have connections in Germany’s “well-informed dealer circles.” They say that Nvidia will have control over which retailers receive the GeForce RTX 5090. The moderator listed a few retailers, such as Mindfactory, where customers are most likely to find the RTX 5090 or even the RTX 5080. Importantly, customers will only be allowed to purchase one unit each.

    Amazon Resellers

    Additionally, the moderator mentioned that Amazon resellers will only get stock of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 in later waves—specifically the second, third, or even the fourth—leading to potential price hikes. Business and B2B retailers will not have access to the GeForce RTX 5090 at launch and will need to wait longer, which is exciting news for gamers looking to buy the card directly.

    While the poster didn’t share any information on the global supply situation, it’s not hard to imagine Nvidia might have similar restrictions worldwide. On the bright side, this could help prevent scalpers from taking advantage of the situation, but it remains to be seen how this will actually unfold in practice.

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    GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 Expected to Have Limited Stock in Germany
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  • NVIDIA RTX 4070 and 4060 Graphics Cards Discontinuation News

    NVIDIA RTX 4070 and 4060 Graphics Cards Discontinuation News

    Some gamers might be wishing for a chance to grab an older Nvidia graphics card at a lower price once the RTX 50 series hits the market. The new GPUs come with DLSS 4’s Multi Frame Generation, which claims to provide major performance enhancements. However, the RTX 40 series still holds up well in terms of power, even without this new feature. Sadly, retailers are already preparing for the discontinuation of the RTX 4070 and RTX 4060.

    Report on Stock Levels

    According to a report from the Taiwanese tech site iThome, a dealer has confirmed that the RTX 4070 will not be restocked after January. With the RTX 5060 not expected until March or even later, the RTX 4060 is likely to be available for an extended period. Since iThome primarily operates in Chinese, translations regarding Nvidia’s inventory updates quickly circulated on X accounts.

    Manufacturer’s Track Record

    This news isn’t particularly shocking, given Nvidia’s past behavior. Even without an official announcement to stop production of the RTX 3080, it became nearly impossible to find a new one once the 40 series was released. The GPU titan is shifting its focus to the RTX 50 series, with the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 set to launch on January 30th, followed by the RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti in February.

    Consumer Impact

    Halting the production of older generation GPUs so early is likely to annoy some consumers. The stock of RTX 4080 and RTX 4080 Super has already dropped quite a bit. Nvidia might be trying to prevent price hikes on these models when buyers can’t order the new 50 series GPUs. However, having fewer options usually doesn’t help consumers, especially if the new cards fail to deliver the expected performance improvements.

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    NVIDIA RTX 4070 and 4060 Graphics Cards Discontinuation News

     

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  • New Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Details: 12 GB GDDR7 VRAM Option

    New Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Details: 12 GB GDDR7 VRAM Option

    Nvidia has finally launched its Blackwell architecture for consumers at CES 2025 last week. In summary, the company has exceeded expectations by revealing not only the GeForce RTX 5090 and GeForce RTX 5080 but also the more budget-friendly GeForce RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti. There are even rumors of cheaper options coming soon in the shape of GeForce RTX 5060 cards.

    Potential New Variants

    Recent speculation suggests Nvidia might be planning to release more variants of the GeForce RTX 5060 than was previously anticipated. To put this into perspective, Intel has just rolled out the Arc B580 (currently priced at $399 on Amazon), which features 12 GB of GDDR6 VRAM. In comparison, Moore’s Law is Dead (MLID) reports that the GeForce RTX 5060 will come equipped with 8 GB of VRAM as standard, but it will utilize the faster GDDR7 standard due to its GB206 GPU.

    VRAM Capacity Insights

    The GB206-based cards are expected to have a more substantial VRAM capacity, similar to what was seen with the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti. Specifically, MLID mentions that Nvidia plans to offer a 12 GB variant in addition to the base 8 GB model, both utilizing GDDR7 VRAM and operating on a 128-bit bus. This reliable source claims both variants will hit the market in March, featuring a GB206 die measuring 183 mm². However, it is still unclear how many of the GB206’s 4,608 CUDA cores will be available in these models.

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  • Nvidia Changes Review Embargoes Before RTX 50 Series Launch

    Nvidia Changes Review Embargoes Before RTX 50 Series Launch

    Nvidia’s presentation of the GeForce RTX 50 Series at CES 2025 was full of bold promises but also left some doubts. CEO Jensen Huang claimed the RTX 5090 would be twice as fast as the RTX 4090. Furthermore, the RTX 5080, RTX 5070, and RTX 5070 Ti are set to offer significant improvements over older RTX models. However, gamers might need to be patient for real-world reviews, as Team Green has adjusted some of the review embargo timelines.

    Review Embargo Updates

    According to VideoCardz.com, the review embargo for the RTX 5080 will not be lifted until January 30th. Nvidia had originally planned for this to happen on January 21st, but delays in releasing a BIOS affected the manufacturers. Although leaks are still coming out, full reviews for the RTX 5080 can’t be published until its official release on January 30th, which means potential buyers will have little time to consider third-party evaluations of the desktop GPU before making a decision.

    The RTX 5090 Launch

    The GeForce RTX 5090 stands as the flagship of Nvidia’s Blackwell series. Nvidia has set the review embargo date for this high-end graphics card to January 24th. The RTX 5090 will be on store shelves by January 30th, giving customers the chance to think carefully about whether its hefty $1999 price is worth it. On the other hand, the RTX 5070 and 5070 Ti will not make their appearance until later in February.

    Pricing and Performance Considerations

    With the steep price of the RTX 5090, many gamers are turning their attention to the more affordable $999 RTX 5080. Instead of offering substantial raw performance over the RTX 4080, this card will significantly depend on DLSS 4. This new multi-frame generation feature is exclusive to the RTX 50 series and allows for even greater frame rates through AI technology. At launch, 75 games will support this feature. However, the value of upgrading might be questionable if the games you enjoy don’t fully support DLSS 4.

    The adjustment in the embargo dates has led to speculation that the RTX 5080 may not significantly outperform older generation GPUs. Regardless, reviews are expected soon to shed light on why Nvidia is emphasizing the RTX 5090.

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  • Biden Administration Imposes AI Export Controls on China

    Biden Administration Imposes AI Export Controls on China

    The Biden administration revealed a major change to U.S. export controls on sophisticated AI chips and technologies today. This new framework establishes a tiered approach that allows preferred access for crucial allies while mandating special licenses for other countries. Dubbed the “AI Diffusion Rule,” the regulations are designed to restrict access to the most powerful AI chips and models, especially for nations viewed as adversaries, with China at the forefront.

    Importance of U.S. Leadership in AI

    Gina Raimondo, the U.S. Commerce Secretary, emphasized the need to maintain America’s lead in AI development and chip design, noting, “It’s critical that we keep it that way.” This rule, managed by the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, is a landmark move, as it is the first instance where the U.S. limits the transfer of powerful AI models alongside advanced chips.

    Access for Trusted Allies

    The updated policy allows 18 trusted allies, which includes the UK, Canada, Japan, Germany, and South Korea, to have near-limitless access to cutting-edge U.S. AI technology. In contrast, other nations will face a range of restrictions and licensing hurdles. Countries that are not under arms embargoes can still acquire AI chips with a total computing power equivalent to about 1,700 of the newest GPUs without needing a license. This provision provides some leeway for nations developing their own AI sectors, as chip orders won’t count against specific national limits. Additionally, there is a cap of 50,000 GPUs per country, but government-to-government agreements could potentially raise that number to 100,000 units.

    Special Licensing for Greater Needs

    Certain institutions in specific countries may apply for permission to purchase as many as 320,000 advanced graphics processing units over a two-year timeframe. However, there are constraints on how much AI computational power could be sent abroad by firms and other entities. The exception for the 1,700 GPUs is likely aimed at supporting universities and medical facilities rather than data centers.

    Countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, along with other embargoed nations, are already prohibited from acquiring advanced AI chips. The new regulations aim to close a gap by restricting access to powerful AI models and hinder China’s capability to develop advanced AI systems in partnership with organizations from other countries.

    Addressing Parallel Imports

    The updated rules also address the issue of parallel imports of advanced chips into arms-embargoed nations. For instance, despite earlier restrictions, AI chips were supplied to Russia via parallel imports through third countries that did not enforce sanctions. The new quotas for these third nations now pose a significant challenge to such imports of AI chips into Russia since companies will be limited in their ability to purchase chips in bulk for resale.

    Gina Raimondo remarked, “The semiconductors that power AI and the model weights are, as we all know, a dual-use technology.” They serve many commercial functions, but can also be utilized by adversaries for military advancements, nuclear simulations, and bioweapon development.

    Industry Concerns

    Nvidia, the leading manufacturer of AI chips worldwide, has expressed strong disapproval of the announcement. In a blog post, the company described the rule as “unprecedented and misguided,” arguing that it would diminish America’s competitiveness on the global stage. Nvidia claims that while these regulations are presented as an “anti-China” measure, they wouldn’t really boost U.S. security. Instead, they would control technologies that are already accessible in mainstream gaming PCs and consumer products, ultimately harming American innovation.

    The new export regulations will be subject to a 120-day consultation period, wherein the incoming Trump administration will need to consider input from industry leaders and international allies. After this timeframe, the Trump administration could either amend or enforce the new rules. This timeline has raised concerns about consistency and the possibility of major policy changes with the new leadership.

    Biden officials have defended the need for these rules, pointing to the fast pace of global AI advancements. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan cautioned about the potential “transformative impacts” that AI could have on both the economy and national security in the near future.

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  • RTX 5090 vs RTX 4090: Rasterization vs Ray Tracing Performance

    RTX 5090 vs RTX 4090: Rasterization vs Ray Tracing Performance

    The RTX 4090 stands as the top consumer desktop GPU within the RTX 40 series. With AMD not offering a rival to the RTX 4090, as the RX 7900 XTX is more aligned with the RTX 4080, Nvidia has maintained its dominance in the high-end gaming segment. Looking ahead, Team Green is expected to keep this top spot with the upcoming RTX 5090, especially since AMD has opted out of competing in the premium market with its RDNA 4 architecture.

    Performance Comparison

    Now, the big question is how does the RTX 5090 stack up against the RTX 4090? Nvidia has shared some performance figures for the RTX 5090, but didn’t provide in-depth insights into its raw rasterization or ray tracing performance. Instead, the focus has been on DLSS 4 and its impressive 4x Frame Generation.

    Benchmark Insights

    Fortunately, the RTX 5090 might already be in the hands of some reviewers, leading to the emergence of synthetic benchmark scores. Two notable results indicate that the RTX 5090 outperforms the RTX 4090 in both rasterization and ray tracing tests.

    According to a thread on Chiphell, which is likely to be taken down soon, the RTX 5090 achieved scores exceeding 24,000 in the 3DMark Time Spy Extreme test and over 13,500 in the Speed Way benchmark.

    Detailed Score Analysis

    Focusing on the Time Spy Extreme score, the RTX 4090’s results from 3DMark show values ranging from about 22,800 to 23,300. If we take a score of 22,800 for the RTX 4090 and 24,000 for the RTX 5090, it suggests that the Blackwell GPU is around 5.3% faster than its earlier version. Of course, results may vary with different high scores, but for our discussion, we can assume lower figures for both GPUs.

    When considering the 3DMark Speed Way test, which evaluates ray tracing, the RTX 5090’s reported score of 13,500+ positions it 8% ahead of the best RTX 4090 recorded in the 3DMark database. Again, since the RTX 4090 has scores that fall between about 11,430 and 12,489, the performance difference in favor of the RTX 5090 could be significantly larger if we base it on the lower RTX 4090 scores. For example, using the 11,430 Speed Way score for the RTX 4090, the RTX 5090’s performance is 18% superior.

    Conclusion

    Thus, it seems reasonable to conclude that the RTX 5090 could deliver nearly a 20% improvement in ray tracing capabilities compared to the RTX 4090.

    In summary, if the rasterization performance of the RTX 5090 is indeed less than 10% faster than the RTX 4090 as noted earlier, this raises questions about the $400 price hike. Such a slight improvement in rasterization might also clarify Nvidia’s strong emphasis on DLSS 4 during the RTX 50 launch.

    Nonetheless, we should hold off on forming any conclusions until we see third-party reviews for the RTX 5090. Until then, take any performance speculations regarding the RTX 5090 with a hefty dose of skepticism.

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  • Nvidia Slams US Last-Minute Restrictions on AI Chip Exports

    Nvidia Slams US Last-Minute Restrictions on AI Chip Exports

    Nvidia is strongly against the forthcoming chip export limitations from the White House, characterizing them as a hurried initiative that might exceed its intended objectives. The anticipated regulations—expected to be announced imminently—aim to establish a three-tiered system to manage AI chip exports, tailored both to specific countries and companies.

    Concerns Over Policy Impact

    Ned Finkle, who leads Nvidia’s government relations, expressed his worries regarding the extensive implications of this policy. He stated that the proposed “extreme country cap policy” would negatively affect everyday computing worldwide without genuinely enhancing national security. These new restrictions would particularly influence AI accelerators, an area where Nvidia holds a dominant position.

    Proposed Access Levels

    According to the suggested rules, American semiconductors would be allocated based on different access categories. Some of the U.S.’s closest allies would receive unrestricted import permissions, while many other countries would face new limitations on overall computing capacity. These restrictions would not only target specialized AI chips but also general-purpose GPUs utilized in various devices, including gaming PCs and data centers.

    Timing and Economic Concerns

    The timing of this announcement is significant, occurring less than two weeks prior to the presidential changeover. “This last-minute policy from the Biden administration could become a legacy that will draw criticism from both the U.S. industry and the global community,” Finkle warned, cautioning that it may damage American economic interests.

    Meanwhile, Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, has expressed his willingness to work with the new administration coming in. He showed interest in meeting with Trump and even offered his assistance. Speaking at CES in Las Vegas, Huang seemed optimistic about the possibility of reduced regulations under Trump, stating, “As an industry, we want to move fast.”

    Market Implications for Nvidia

    These new regulations could significantly impact Nvidia’s position in the market, especially considering the company’s remarkable growth: its stock price nearly tripled last year, following a 239 percent increase in 2023, largely fueled by a rise in AI investments.

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