Core Viewpoint - Google currently holds a cost advantage in AI training with its TPU chips, operating at a negative 30% profit margin, which allows it to suppress competitors. However, this advantage is expected to reverse with the introduction of NVIDIA's Blackwell chip cluster in early 2026, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of the AI industry [1][4][11]. Group 1: Cost Structure and Competitive Dynamics - Gavin Baker highlights that Google's TPU chips are akin to "fourth-generation jet fighters," while NVIDIA's Hopper chips are compared to "World War II P-51 Mustangs," indicating a significant cost advantage for Google [4]. - The transition from NVIDIA's Hopper to Blackwell is described as one of the most complex product transformations in tech history, with substantial increases in data center rack weight and power consumption [5]. - Baker anticipates that the first models trained on Blackwell will debut in early 2026, with xAI playing a crucial role in NVIDIA's deployment strategy [6]. Group 2: Supply Chain and Design Strategy - Google's conservative design choices and supply chain strategy may limit its long-term competitiveness, as it outsources backend design to Broadcom, incurring significant costs [7]. - The estimated annual payment to Broadcom could reach approximately $15 billion by 2027, raising questions about the economic rationale behind this outsourcing [7]. - The introduction of MediaTek as a second supplier is seen as a warning to Broadcom, but this diversification may slow down TPU's development pace compared to NVIDIA's rapid GPU iterations [9][10]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - Once Google loses its status as the lowest-cost producer, its strategic computing approach will fundamentally change, making it challenging to maintain a negative profit margin [11]. - The shift in cost dynamics with the Blackwell cluster moving towards inference applications could lead to significant financial strain for Google, potentially impacting its stock performance [11]. - Baker emphasizes that the gap between NVIDIA's GPUs and Google's TPUs will widen further with the release of the next-generation Ruben chip [12].
科技投资大佬:明年英伟达GPU将颠覆谷歌TPU优势