# EP 164: ARM, ARM Earning, Agentic CPU Inflections, A World of Constraints

- Show: [The Circuit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit)
- Published: 2026-05-11
- Length: 1h 01m
- Episode: 167
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-05-11-ep-164-arm-arm-earning-agentic-cpu-inflections-a-world-of-constraints
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/5d017eb5

## Summary

Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the semiconductor industry's 'agentic CPU' surge, driven by the need to execute AI-generated code, which is causing massive demand for high-core-count CPUs from ARM and AMD. They analyze the 'ultimate constraint' of anhydrous hydrogen bromine, a gas critical for EUV lithography and memory production, highlighting supply chain risks involving Japanese refiner Resonac and Israeli raw materials. The hosts also critique 'Neo Cloud' players like CoreWeave and Nebius for their strategic deficit in CPU install base compared to hyperscalers, and break down recent earnings from ARM, AMD, and SiTime, while noting breaking news of a potential foundry deal between Intel and Apple.

## Chapters

- [0:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-05-11-ep-164-arm-arm-earning-agentic-cpu-inflections-a-world-of-constraints#t=5) Introduction: The Circuit and the Ultimate Constraint
- [0:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-05-11-ep-164-arm-arm-earning-agentic-cpu-inflections-a-world-of-constraints#t=59) The Anhydrous Hydrogen Bromine Crisis: Resonac and Geopolitics
- [5:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-05-11-ep-164-arm-arm-earning-agentic-cpu-inflections-a-world-of-constraints#t=343) ARM Earnings and the Agentic CPU Narrative
- [9:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-05-11-ep-164-arm-arm-earning-agentic-cpu-inflections-a-world-of-constraints#t=587) The Death of the CPU-to-GPU Ratio and Rack Topology
- [14:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-05-11-ep-164-arm-arm-earning-agentic-cpu-inflections-a-world-of-constraints#t=881) AMD's CPU Surge, Helios, and MI450 Competition
- [28:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-05-11-ep-164-arm-arm-earning-agentic-cpu-inflections-a-world-of-constraints#t=1734) Optical Networking Timing and SiTime's Role
- [36:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-05-11-ep-164-arm-arm-earning-agentic-cpu-inflections-a-world-of-constraints#t=2163) SiTime's Digital MEMS and Timing in Data Centers
- [44:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-05-11-ep-164-arm-arm-earning-agentic-cpu-inflections-a-world-of-constraints#t=2686) The Neo Cloud Challenge: CoreWeave, Nebius, and Iron
- [57:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-05-11-ep-164-arm-arm-earning-agentic-cpu-inflections-a-world-of-constraints#t=3421) Breaking News: Intel and Apple Foundry Deal Rumors

## Topics

- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- ARM (company)
- AMD (company)
- Resonac (company)
- CoreWeave (company)
- Nebius (company)
- Iron (company)
- SiTime (company)
- Intel (company)
- Apple (company)
- Nvidia (company)
- TSMC (company)
- Samsung (company)
- Momentum Data Systems (company)
- AiiO (company)
- Marada (company)
- Helios (product)
- MI450 (product)
- Vera Rubin (product)
- Elite 2 Super TCXO (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Bonkers Birthday Badinage](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-06-18-bonkers-birthday-badinage) (The Amp Hour)
- [Seismology 1: Nvidia & Arm | Seismology 2: US IC Manufacturing on the Rebound](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-08-07-seismology-1-nvidia-arm-seismology-2-us-ic-manufacturing-on-the-rebound) (EE Times Current)
- [For a couple weeks there...](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-11-28-for-a-couple-weeks-there) (The Amp Hour)
- [CEO Interview: Mike Henry of Mythic | The Biggest Chip Deal Ever | Do Androids Dream of Electric Smartphones?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-09-18-ceo-interview-mike-henry-of-mythic-the-biggest-chip-deal-ever-do-androids-dream) (EE Times Current)
- [The Same Wavelength](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-03-21-the-same-wavelength) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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