Microsoft is unveiling its new custom-designed Arm-based Cobalt 100 processors to the public through a preview of Azure virtual machines (VMs). The three pre-release VM series, namely Dpsv6, Dplsv6, and Epsv6, will be available in select regions for Azure subscribers to try out for free. Each VM variant offers up to 96 virtual cores with varying RAM-to-core ratios, ranging from 2GB to 8GB per core. The Epsv6 VMs, in particular, promise up to 672GB of memory, but the core-to-memory ratio should equate to a maximum of 768GB.
Microsoft emphasizes that these virtual machines are designed for more memory-intensive workloads and boast 40 percent more CPU performance compared to the previous Altra Ampere models. The Cobalt 100 processors feature Arm’s latest Neoverse N2 cores and a 5nm node, offering increased performance levels. Additionally, the new VMs come with four times more local storage IOPS, 50 percent more network bandwidth, and enhanced Java performance, making them suitable for web servers, .NET applications, and in-memory caching applications.
Despite Microsoft’s innovative Arm-based components, they face competition in the cloud server market from x64 chips by Intel and AMD, as well as other Arm-compatible processors. It is noteworthy that these Microsoft virtual machines are expected to run Linux rather than Windows.
In conclusion, Microsoft is showcasing its cutting-edge Cobalt 100 processors through a preview of Azure virtual machines, offering enhanced performance and capabilities for memory-intensive workloads. This move signifies Microsoft’s foray into the consumer-facing custom CPU market, positioning itself against established players in the industry. With a focus on increased CPU performance, memory capacity, and network bandwidth, Microsoft aims to cater to a variety of applications and workloads, particularly in the cloud server market. Ultimately, the success of these Arm-based components will depend on their ability to compete with existing technologies and meet the evolving demands of cloud computing.
Article Source
https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/22/microsofts_armbased_cobalt_100_cpu/
