This GPU server packs up to eight Nvidia RTX GPUs, 192 AMD EPYC cores — but it’s not meant to play Cyberpunk 2077
In the race for the world’s fastest computer, this 384-thread server has a place of its own
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A plethora of boutique vendors have over the past few months released powerful GPU servers based onAMD’s EPYC 9000 series - these are essentially beefed-upworkstations. Velocity Micro is the latest one to join the fray with its ProMagix G480a GPU which can take up to eight dual-slot NvidiaGPUs to accelerate CUDA or Tensor-enabled workflows (noAMD Instinct MI300yet).
No gaming here (although you should be able to runCyberpunk 2077- andCrysis- without much issue should you want to), just sheer number crunching at a scale that only a couple of decades ago, would require asupercomputer.
Housed in a massive 4U chassis, the dual-socket motherboard can take up to twoEPYC 9654 CPUtotaling 192 cores and paired with 1TB DDR5, much lower than what we’d expect. Purchasers can either rely on an integrated VGA card from Aspeed (remember these) or kit the server with up to eight 48GBPNY Nvidia RTX 6000Ada generation workstation graphics cards. Powering all this are three (yes, three) 3kWpower supply unitswith an extra redundant one.
Who needs one of these monsters?
Velocity Micro says that these are perfect for “AI or Machine Learning, complex simulations, high demand scientific calculations”. “By putting emphasis on scalability, functionality, and performance, we’ve created a line of server solutions that tie in the legacy of our high-end brand while also offering businesses alternative options for more specialized solutions for the highest demand workflows,” said Randy Copeland, President and CEO of Velocity Micro.
A fully kitted server with 384 threads, 1TB of memory andeight RTX 6000 Ada reached almost $135,000.Velocity Micro offers up to three-year warranty on these with a lifetime upgrade plan available for maintenance, upgrades and tuning. There are cheaper options from the likes of Dihuni (less than $97,000), Xicomputer (lower than $90,000) or Bizon-Tech (less than $92,000); so it does pay to shop around, look at the small prints and after sales support.
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Désiré has been musing and writing about technology during a career spanning four decades. He dabbled inwebsite buildersandweb hostingwhen DHTML and frames were in vogue and started narrating about the impact of technology on society just before the start of the Y2K hysteria at the turn of the last millennium.
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