Intel, AMD team to take on ARM in the data centre

Arch-rivals Intel and AMD have created an “x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group” to push back against the rise of ARM and RISC-V in data centre chips.

The x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group was announced at the Open Compute Project (OCP) conference in the US this week which has a major focus on power consumption in the data centre.

While Intel and AMD have dominated the data centre with their Xeon and Epyc x86 processors, operators such as Amazon and Microsoft have been designing their own chips based around the ARM architecture.

The x86 group will focus on identifying new ways to expand the x86 ecosystem by enabling compatibility across platforms, simplifying software development, and providing developers with a platform to identify architectural needs and features.

This is driven by the move to dynamic AI workloads, custom chiplets, and advancements in 3D packaging and system architectures.

• How the data centre moved to custom chips
• HPE opens R&D office in Bristol
• The role of RISC-V in the European Processor Initiative

“We are on the cusp of one of the most significant shifts in the x86 architecture and ecosystem in decades – with new levels of customization, compatibility and scalability needed to meet current and future customer needs,” said Pat Gelsinger, Intel CEO. “We proudly stand together with AMD and the founding members of this advisory group, as we ignite the future of compute, and we deeply appreciate the support of so many industry leaders.”

“Establishing the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group will ensure that the x86 architecture continues evolving as the compute platform of choice for both developers and customers,” said Lisa Su, AMD Chair and CEO. “We are excited to bring the industry together to provide direction on future architectural enhancements and extend the incredible success of x86 for decades to come.”

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The group includes major server suppliers such as Dell, HPE and Lenovo as well as networking chip makers Broadcom and software supplier Red Hat. Cloud operators include Google, Microsoft and Oracle.

The group will also look for technical input from the x86 hardware and software communities on essential functions and features in client, edge and embedded devices.

“We are at a crossroads in the history of computing. The x86 architectural decisions we make today will affect programming models, frameworks and systems for decades to come. Broadcom looks forward to lending its industry perspective to the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group as a pioneer in silicon development and x86 virtualization with VMware,” said Broadcom Inc. President and CEO Hock Tan.

 “Lenovo is delighted to be one of the founding members of this important new advisory group, given our role in the industry for the past decade. When we work together as an industry ecosystem, we all benefit, but more importantly, so do our customers. I’m looking forward to sharing our technical expertise as we collectively accelerate the growing x86 market across client, edge and cloud,” said  Lenovo Chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang.