RISC V and the Data Center – SiFive’s new processor
We have not written about RISC V much this year. Our sense was that there was not much news. Last year, it seemed like there was news every week, if […]
Category Archives: RISC V
Arm and RISC V: Can There Only Be One?
Everyone assumes that Arm and RISC V are locked in a Highlander contest where there can only be one, but in practicer we think we are going to see a lot more chips containing both, sitting next to each other.
RISC V – Lots of Motion, Some of it Foward
RISC V is seeing a lot of interest and enthusiasm. As it matures, expect to see consolidation, a more realistic set of end-market goals, and probably a looming fight down the road over the control of the project.
Does Qualcomm’s new RISC V chip matter?
Qualcomm just launched a RISC V chip running a version of Android (Wear OS). Is this just a small project in an out-of-the-way market? Or is the sign of some bigger ambition?
SiFive Overview
RISC V pioneer SiFive has gone through several iterations, but has now solidified a business model that essentially positions it as a direct competitor to Arm. If they can continue to execute they will benefit from much of the very healhty RISC V momentum
How many CPUs do we need?
Less than a decade ago, CPUs were the dominant form of compute and everyone ‘knew’ the market could only support two vendors. Today, there are over a dozen companies making CPUs.
The Power of Open Source?
RISC V chips may be seeing some progress with getting software optimized for it. We could end up in a world in which open source software runs on open source semis, while closed software, as in cars and mobile phones, runs on Arm.
RISC V and a Whole New Kind of Software Mess
RISC V is going to encounter a lot of software incompatibility problems, but that probably won’t matter, and definitely won’t stop it.
Arm vs Qualcomm – FUD edition
Qualcomm claims Arm wants to shift its business model to charge OEMs rather than chip companies. We think is unlikely, but wow will it be hard if they do try to make that shift.
Who Will Be Intel’s First Foundry Customer?
Intel’s Foundry ambitions will need to overcome considerable customer growing pains. The RISC V community may be a good place for Intel to start, but they still have a long way to go.