Apple may be partnering with Broadcom to make AI processors for servers

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AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in General Discussion edited December 2024

To power its Apple Intelligence servers, Apple is now said to be at least in part working with Broadcom on a new processor design.

Siri icon in a datacenter
Siri icon in a datacenter



Apple makes much of how Apple Intelligence works on-device, but it's also clear that there are requests that need use of a greater Large Language Model. Such requests are sent to Apple's servers, and the company has been working to produce server processors specifically for this purpose.

According to The Information, that work includes a partnership with Broadcom to make a processor codenamed Baltra for release in 2026. Reportedly, this does not mean Broadcom designing and producing the new processor, but possibly only providing one of several "chiplets.".

A processor's functions could be split up into several chiplets which Apple later recombines into a single chip. That would reportedly reduce manufacturing complexity, but also mean Apple could keep its overall design confidential, even from partner firms.

It's not certain why Apple would want to partner with Broadcom when it is already developing its own Apple Silicon processors. However, AI servers may need many processors working in tandem, and Broadcom could be working on the networking between them.

Reportedly, Apple cancelled the development of an unknown high-performance processor for Macs, in order to divert engineers to this AI server chip. The engineers in question are based in Israel.

It's claimed that those engineers were instrumental in the move to Apple Silicon.

Baltra, named after one of the Galapagos islands, is expected to be manufactured by TSMC using its N3P process. Announced in April 2024, the technology is expected to be first seen in the processors for the iPhone 17 Pro.

Separately, it's previously been reported that Apple is in talks with Foxconn to build Apple Intelligence servers in Taiwan.

Rumor Score: Possible

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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    apple4thewinapple4thewin Posts: 459member
    Could this high performance processor be the m-Extreme rumored chip? Or even the older rumor Apple Silicon dGPU?
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 2 of 6
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 8,301member
    Chiplets have been seen as the way forward for cost effectively delivering high performance chips at scale in less complex designs for a few years now.

    For server side hardware things like the interconnect technologies are also vital. 

    Apple has not typically played in this area so looking outside is logical and Broadcom already has a lot of work under its belt for Apple so could be an ideal candidate for some areas. 

    Then there is the runtime environment and all the other software considerations. 

    dewme
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  • Reply 3 of 6
    canukstormcanukstorm Posts: 2,790member
    Could this high performance processor be the m-Extreme rumored chip? Or even the older rumor Apple Silicon dGPU?
    This Macrumors post sheds a little more light on the "M4 Extreme" processor

    'M4 Extreme' Chip Unlikely After Apple 'Cancels' High-Performance Chip - MacRumors
    apple4thewinwilliamlondonwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 4 of 6
    apple4thewinapple4thewin Posts: 459member
    canukstorm said:
    Could this high performance processor be the m-Extreme rumored chip? Or even the older rumor Apple Silicon dGPU?
    This Macrumors post sheds a little more light on the "M4 Extreme" processor

    'M4 Extreme' Chip Unlikely After Apple 'Cancels' High-Performance Chip - MacRumors
    I still think Apple should make a dGPU though especially with thunderbolt 5 in higher performing macs albeit with apple it would be very expensive 
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 5 of 6
    thttht Posts: 5,975member
    apple4thewin said:
    canukstorm said:
    Could this high performance processor be the m-Extreme rumored chip? Or even the older rumor Apple Silicon dGPU?
    This Macrumors post sheds a little more light on the "M4 Extreme" processor

    'M4 Extreme' Chip Unlikely After Apple 'Cancels' High-Performance Chip - MacRumors
    I still think Apple should make a dGPU though especially with thunderbolt 5 in higher performing macs albeit with apple it would be very expensive 
    The issue is still what will macOS buyers use it for.

    Looks like they are designing an AI specific chip, for servers. GPUs are good at that, but an AI specific accelerator will do the same job at lower power and lower cost. On the client side, Apple doesn't have much of a GPU heavy market. Not in the workstation 3D market nor the gaming market. They don't seem too much interested in gaining a foothold in those markets either.

    So, they are waiting until they can get foothold in GPU heavy markets. If so, I can see them revving up GPU designs to serve and gain more share in those markets. As it stands, GPU performance in Apple devices is decent, so there is a chance they could nurture something if they want to.
    apple4thewinwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 6 of 6
    blastdoorblastdoor Posts: 3,815member
    Apparently Apple is not the only company working with Broadcom on a big server chip: 

    https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/fujitsu-flaunts-144-core-monaka-cpu-2nm-and-5nm-chiplets-soic-and-cowos-packaging

    But I am a little surprised that Apple would need Broadcom, unless their design team is just temporarily capacity constrained. 
    byronlwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
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