Nvidia to focus on the production of H800 AI GPU rather than A800 GPU in China

NVIDIA is set to shift its production focus in China by reducing the supply of its A800 AI GPUs and prioritizing the higher-end H800 models, aiming to capture a larger market share and meet the growing demand for advanced AI capabilities.

Nvidia to focus on the production of H800 AI GPU rather than A800 GPU in China
Nvidia to focus on the production of H800 AI GPU rather than A800 GPU in China. (Image: Nvidia)

In a strategic move to bolster sales of its higher-end H800 GPU, Nvidia is allegedly planning a significant reduction in the supply of its Chinese-focused A800 AI GPU. By shifting its focus to the H800, Nvidia aims to drive increased demand for the premium offering, potentially reshaping the landscape of AI GPU usage in China. This move reflects Nvidia's strategic efforts to optimize its product lineup and capture a larger share of the growing AI market, aligning its supply and sales strategies to meet evolving customer needs and preferences.

Nvidia to focus on the production of H800 AI GPU rather than A800 GPU in China

To maintain its presence in the Chinese markets and navigate around US sanctions, Nvidia released the A800 and H800 GPUs as specific models tailored for the Chinese industry, particularly in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. These GPUs, which are derived from the A100 and H100 models, were designed to address the demand for advanced AI capabilities in China while circumventing the restrictions imposed by sanctions.

Nvidia
Nvidia to focus on the production of H800 AI GPU rather than A800 GPU in China. (Image: Nvidia)

Initially, the A800 GPUs faced pricing surges due to rumors of a potential ban. This caused panic in the Chinese markets and resulted in a substantial increase in their price, reaching as high as 110,000 yuan/US$15,211. However, recent reports indicate that Nvidia intends to reduce production capacity for the A800 GPUs and shift focus towards promoting sales of the higher-end H800 AI GPUs. While the exact motive behind this decision remains unconfirmed, it is speculated that Nvidia aims to generate greater interest and sales for the H800 GPU, which is priced at 250,000 yuan. By creating an artificial shortage for the A800 GPUs, Nvidia could potentially drive up demand and increase profits.

Despite the H800 being a premium offering in the Chinese market, it falls short in terms of data transfer rate and training times compared to its chip-to-chip counterpart, the H100. However, it remains highly sought after by prominent tech giants such as Alibaba Group Holding, Baidu Inc, and Tencent Holdings, who are actively competing to develop AI models similar to ChatGPT. This strategic shift in production focus by Nvidia aims to position the H800 as the preferred choice within the Chinese industry, ultimately boosting the company's sales and market presence.

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Nvidia