Core Viewpoint - The return of NVIDIA's H20 chip to the Chinese market is seen as a strategic move amidst the ongoing US-China tech rivalry, with implications for both companies and the broader industry landscape [1][2]. Group 1: NVIDIA's H20 Chip - NVIDIA's H20 chip was initially banned from export to China but received approval for re-entry, indicating a potential easing of restrictions, though underlying complexities remain [1]. - The H20 chip is positioned as a strong competitor in the domestic market, particularly in large model training and inference, highlighting its cost-performance advantages [2][5]. - The US Treasury Secretary acknowledged that the lifting of the ban was influenced by China's advancements in developing comparable chips, underscoring the competitive dynamics at play [2]. Group 2: Huawei's Ascend 910B Chip - Huawei's Ascend 910B chip utilizes the self-developed Da Vinci architecture, allowing for adaptability across various application scenarios, and has achieved significant energy efficiency improvements [3][5]. - The chip's manufacturing process leverages 7nm technology from SMIC, enhancing its performance and energy balance despite external restrictions [3]. - Huawei's software optimization strategies, including sparse computing and model quantization, enable the Ascend chip to deliver high performance even under constrained manufacturing conditions [5]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The competition between NVIDIA's H20 and Huawei's Ascend 910B is at a critical juncture, with both chips vying for dominance in the AI computing space [5]. - The re-entry of H20 may provide short-term relief for some domestic companies facing AI computing power shortages, but the long-term outlook for NVIDIA remains uncertain due to increasing pressure from local alternatives [5][6]. - The evolving landscape suggests a clear divergence in chip technology routes, with a growing emphasis on domestic capabilities and self-sufficiency in the semiconductor industry [5].
英伟达H20芯片解禁是一场“阳谋”