Designing CPUs for next-generation supercomputing

Despite the hype around GPU-powered AI breakthroughs, CPUs remain crucial for high-performance computing, supporting the majority of scientific, engineering, and research workloads. Recent innovations in CPU technology, such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM), are leading to significant performance improvements without the need for costly architectural changes. Evan Burness from Microsoft Azure estimates that CPUs still handle 80% to 90% of HPC simulation jobs. This resurgence in CPU development is highlighted in a new report by MIT Technology Review's custom content arm, emphasizing the ongoing importance of CPUs in next-generation supercomputing.