Huawei is gearing up to launch its new AI accelerator, the Ascend 910C, which is moving into the production phase. We now have some insight into what this eagerly anticipated chip will bring to the table.
### Huawei’s Ascend 910C to Utilize Advanced 7nm Process from TSMC/SMIC; Anticipates the Release of “Millions” of AI Chips
There’s no denying that China’s AI industry is undergoing a transformation, sparked by innovations like DeepSeek’s R1 model. This boom has dramatically increased the demand for enhanced computing power domestically. Among the top Chinese AI chip manufacturers, Huawei is making significant strides, particularly with its forthcoming Ascend 910C chips. These developments are setting the stage for heightened competitiveness. According to an analysis by @ohlennart, details about the 910C chip have emerged, indicating that NVIDIA’s H100 will face stiff competition in China’s market.
> Huawei’s next AI accelerator—the Ascend 910C—is entering production. It’s China’s best AI chip. Thanks to backdoor sourcing, we could easily see 1M H100-equiv this year. Here’s what we know about its performance and strategic implications. Spoiler: selectively competitive. 1/
Reflecting on the insights from the tweet and our gathered data, it’s apparent that the Ascend 910C will be less complex than NVIDIA’s alternatives. Huawei plans to employ two separate silicon interposers connected via an organic substrate, a rather traditional technique. Essentially, it involves pairing two Ascend 910B chips to boost the combined performance. This configuration is projected to achieve 800 TFLOP/s at FP16 and possess a memory bandwidth of up to 3.2 TB/s, approaching the capabilities of the H100.
Huawei will be leveraging 7nm technology for the Ascend 910C, sourced from both TSMC and SMIC. Before export restrictions took effect, Huawei placed substantial orders with Taiwan’s TSMC, which will significantly contribute to the chip’s production. However, China’s SMIC also plays a crucial role, having made remarkable strides in 7nm production. With an expected monthly output of 50,000 wafers, SMIC is well-positioned to support Huawei’s ambitions of shipping “millions” of AI chips.
Considering China’s advancements in AI computing, the Ascend 910C represents a milestone, moving the industry forward. Globally, though, Huawei still trails behind, facing a computing power gap of approximately 10-20 times compared to top players. Despite this, companies like DeepSeek demonstrate that limited computing resources can be offset through innovative approaches. As China harnesses its pool of talented individuals, the upcoming AI race promises to be intensely competitive.
