# Episode 5: x86 vs. Arm vs. RISC-V, Shifting from General Purpose to Specific Purpose Silicon

- Show: [The Circuit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit)
- Published: 2023-02-06
- Length: 41m
- Episode: 5
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-06-episode-5-x86-vs-arm-vs-risc-v-shifting-from-general-purpose-to-specific-purpose
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/25e48c33

## Summary

Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the competitive landscape of x86, Arm, and RISC-V architectures, highlighting the industry's shift from general-purpose silicon to specialized, custom designs. They analyze how companies like Ampere Computing, Apple, and Qualcomm are leveraging custom Arm-based architectures to gain performance and efficiency advantages in the data center, challenging Intel's dominance. The hosts also explore RISC-V's rapid adoption, driven by its open nature and cost-effectiveness, particularly among Chinese startups and for IoT and edge AI applications.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-06-episode-5-x86-vs-arm-vs-risc-v-shifting-from-general-purpose-to-specific-purpose#t=1) Introduction: Architecture Overview and Licensing Models
- [2:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-06-episode-5-x86-vs-arm-vs-risc-v-shifting-from-general-purpose-to-specific-purpose#t=156) x86 vs. Arm: Performance, Power, and Historical Trade-offs
- [11:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-06-episode-5-x86-vs-arm-vs-risc-v-shifting-from-general-purpose-to-specific-purpose#t=719) Arm in the Data Center: Ampere, Qualcomm, and Software Ecosystem
- [24:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-06-episode-5-x86-vs-arm-vs-risc-v-shifting-from-general-purpose-to-specific-purpose#t=1493) RISC-V in China: Geopolitics, Cost, and Market Adoption
- [32:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-06-episode-5-x86-vs-arm-vs-risc-v-shifting-from-general-purpose-to-specific-purpose#t=1977) RISC-V Use Cases: IoT, Edge AI, and Automotive
- [39:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-06-episode-5-x86-vs-arm-vs-risc-v-shifting-from-general-purpose-to-specific-purpose#t=2353) Conclusion: Customization and Future Landscape

## Topics

- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Intel (company)
- Arm (company)
- RISC-V (other)
- AMD (company)
- Apple (company)
- Qualcomm (company)
- Ampere Computing (company)
- NVIDIA (company)
- MediaTek (company)
- Marvell (company)
- Broadcom (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Google (company)
- TSMC (company)
- SMIC (company)
- Ford (company)
- GM (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Launch of RISC-V Special Project | MIPS vs. RISC-V | RISC-V Impact on ARM](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-02-18-launch-of-risc-v-special-project-mips-vs-risc-v-risc-v-impact-on-arm) (EE Times Current)
- [RISC-V Reaches Adolescence](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-12-17-risc-v-reaches-adolescence) (EE Times Current)
- [Leading the RISC-V Revolution, SiFive Aims to Take the Computing Industry Throne](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-27-leading-the-risc-v-revolution-sifive-aims-to-take-the-computing-industry-throne) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Interview: Ampere CEO Renee James | Arm-ing Data Centers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-05-08-interview-ampere-ceo-renee-james-arm-ing-data-centers) (EE Times Current)
- [We'll Believe It When We See It - Hiring Hypercatalectic Helpelp](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-01-29-well-believe-it-when-we-see-it-hiring-hypercatalectic-helpelp) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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