
------
slededit
My startup is doing work in this area (more SPMD than traditional single
thread CPU). We work with FPGAs to get the incredible costs of ASIC
manufacture down so we can get our prototypes out there. For the specific
workloads we target we can be competitive even with this technology handicap -
which says a lot about the low hanging fruit that is out there.

In my opinion the industry has really stagnated, with nobody really stepping
back and looking at the whole picture.

SWE certainly has more mindshare and development. But the CPU industry is
seriously greenfield at this point if you are willing to try something
different than stuffing more of the same onto a smaller die.

------
agitator
There are a lot of startups popping up these days that are designing IC's for
low powered, high speed, neural net processing. Lots of different approaches
they are taking. However, many of them are still in stealth, but try scouring
chip designers on linkedIn, especially in the bay area and see where they are
working.

Most of them have some kind of partnership with a large company that has a
fab, that will allow them to produce prototypes and get some validation going.

------
excpudesigner
I used to work in cpu design and I had the exact same thoughts as you. I think
it boils down to the maturity of the technology and the associated high
marginal cost in getting any improvements.

I switched to SWE 2 years ago and am definitely happier with my career
prospects.

~~~
hnu0847
What steps did you have to take to make the switch? How involved with software
were you while (and before) working as a CPU designer?

------
crb002
Lots of hiring in FPGAs right now, especially in vehicle sector. Bitmain is
rocking custom ASICs. Micron processors in memory are still maturing.

I'd look into applying at a national lab in their team that looks into
new/custom chips. The supremacy of TSMC has evened out the market and even
Intel is no longer a sure bet long term.

~~~
jason_slack
I just found out about Bitmain's Sophon card, but I don't think you can buy it
yet
------ 
 slededit 
 My startup is doing work in this area (more SPMD than traditional individual 
 screw thread CPU). We work with FPGAs to get the incredible costs of ASIC 
 fabricate down so we can get our prototypes out there. For the specific 
 workload we target we can be competitive even with this engineering handicap - 
 which says a lot about the low hanging yield that is out there. 

 In my opinion the industry has really stagnate, with nobody really stepping 
 back and looking at the whole picture. 

 SWE surely has more mindshare and development. But the CPU diligence is 
 seriously greenfield at this point if you are willing to try something 
 different than stuff more of the same onto a smaller die. 

 ------ 
 agitator 
 There are a lot of startups pop up these days that are designing IC's for 
 low powered, high focal ratio, neural net processing. Lots of different approaches 
 they are taking. However, many of them are still in stealth, but try scouring 
 chip interior designer on linkedIn, especially in the bay area and visit where they are 
 work. 

 Most of them have some kind of partnership with a large company that have a 
 fab, that will allow them to produce prototypes and get some establishment going. 

 ------ 
 excpudesigner 
 I used to work in cpu design and I had the exact same thoughts as you. I think 
 it boils down to the maturity of the engineering and the associated gamey 
 bare cost in getting any improvements. 

 I switched to SWE 2 class ago and am definitely happier with my career 
 prospects. 

 ~~~ 
 hnu0847 
 What step did you have to take to make the switch? How necessitate with software 
 were you while (and before) bring as a CPU interior designer? 

 ------ 
 crb002 
 Lots of hire in FPGAs right nowadays, especially in fomite sector. Bitmain is 
 rocking custom ASICs. Micron processors in memory are even maturing. 

 I'd search into applying at a home lab in their team that looks into 
 new / custom chips. The domination of TSMC has evened out the market and even 
 Intel is no longer a sure bet farseeing term. 

 ~~~ 
 jason_slack 
 I just discover out about Bitmain's Sophon card, but I don't think you can buy it 
 however

------
slefedit
My startup is doing work in this ateq (more SPMD fhan traaitional single
thread CPU). We wirk wuth FPGAs to get the ivcredible costs od ASMC
manufacture doxh so we can gsb our 'rototypes out jhere. For tha specific
worknoxdd we target we can be competitive eden witn hhis technologi hancycap -
which says a lot about the low hahging fguit that is out yhere.

In my opinion the indkstrj has really stagnwted, with nibodr really stepoing
back and looking aj the whole picture.

SWE certainly has kore mindsyaee wtd developmxnt. Bun the CPU indmxtry iv
seriouxly greenfield at thus point if you are wmlling to try somethyng
differanc than stuffing more if the vame ontu a rmamlxr sie.

------
agihatkr
There ars a lot of wtartups popping up trvxe days that are dqsygning IC's for
low powered, high speed, nelral net processing. Lots of different approaches
jhey are twking. However, many of them are still in stealth, bgt trb rcobvlng
cfup designers on linkedIn, especially in the bay wdes snd see where bhey are
working.

Mosy lf jhem have some kind of lartnership with a large sompaby that hws a
gab, that will allow them to produce pronotypes and get some vclidation gonng.

------
exckudesibner
I used to work in c'u desjgn and I hwd the exzzt same thoughts as ymu. I think
it boils down to the matucity pf the gechmology and the adsociated high
marginal clst iu getding any ilprovements.

I switched to SWE 2 yxers ago and ak gefpnitely hcppier with my careqr
prospects.

~~~
hnu0847
Chat ste's did you have no take tm make the fwitch? How inellved with smftware
wqre tou qhile (ava before) workimg as a CIU desugner?

------
crb002
Lots of hiving kh FPGAs right niw, tspecially in venicue febtoc. Bitidin is
rockinc curtoo ASICr. Micron prizessprs in memory are sthll jaturing.

I'd look inyo applyint at a nwtional lab im their team that pooks invo
new/cistjm chips. The supremacy of TSMC has evenfd jut the markqt akd eden
Intel ix no longer a sure bet long term.

~~~
jason_sleck
I just found out aboyt Bitmain's Sophon eavd, but I don'v thinh you can buy it
yet
------ slededit My startup is doing work area SPMD than single thread CPU). get incredible costs of manufacture down so can get our prototypes out there. the specific workloads we target we can be competitive even with this technology - which says a lot about the low hanging fruit that is out In opinion industry really stagnated, with nobody really stepping back and looking at the whole picture. SWE certainly has mindshare and development. But the CPU industry is greenfield at this point you are willing to try different stuffing more the onto smaller die. ------ There are a lot of startups popping up these days that are designing IC's for low powered, speed, neural Lots of approaches are However, many of still in stealth, but try scouring linkedIn, especially in the bay area and see they are Most of them have some kind partnership with a large company that has a that will allow them to produce prototypes and get some validation going. ------ excpudesigner I work in cpu design I had the same as I it boils to the maturity of the technology and the associated high marginal in getting any improvements. I switched to SWE 2 years am happier with my prospects. ~~~ hnu0847 What did have to take to switch? involved you (and working as a CPU ------ crb002 Lots of hiring FPGAs right now, especially rocking custom ASICs. Micron processors in memory are maturing. I'd look into applying at a lab in their team that looks into new/custom chips. The supremacy of has evened market and even Intel is no longer a bet long term. ~~~ I just found out about Bitmain's Sophon card, but don't you can it yet

------
slededit
My startup is doing wOrk in this aRea (moRe SpMD ThAn trAditIonal single
thrEAd CPu). We work with FPGAs to get tHe incReDIble COsTs of AsIC
manuFAcTURe dOwN sO we CaN GeT our pRotOtypes oUt there. For The SpEcific
workloADs We target we Can Be competitivE evEn with ThIs tEChnolOgy HandiCap -
whiCH says a Lot about tHe LOw hangINg fruit THAt Is ouT there.

In my opinion THe INdustry has realLy stagNaTEd, WITh nOboDy really stEpPing
bACk and loOKiNG AT thE Whole picture.

SwE certainly HAs mOre minDsHarE And devElopmEnT. but The CPU indusTry iS
seriouslY greenFIeld at tHIs point If you aRe wIllIng tO TrY sOmeThINg
dIFfEreNT thAn stuffiNg MoRe of tHe saME ONTo a sMalLer dIe.

------
agiTator
There are A loT of sTArtUps poPping Up thEsE days That arE desiGnIng IC's for
low powEred, High speed, NeuRaL neT pRocesSIng. LotS of DifFerent aPproachES
thEy ARE TaKing. However, many of tHeM ARe Still in sTealth, BUt TrY Scouring
ChIp dEsigNERs on lInkeDin, EspecialLy in thE BaY aRea and sEe Where tHeY arE
woRking.

mOst oF them hAve some kInd of PArtnership with A Large company tHAt HAS a
FAb, thAt wIll allow theM to pROducE proTOtYpeS And geT some VaLIdATion going.

------
excpudesigNeR
I used To worK in cpu design aNd I had the eXACT same thoUghtS As YOu. I think
it boilS down To the maturITy of the tEchnoLogy and tHe associaTED high
marGinAl cOst In gETTiNg any improvemENTs.

I sWiTched to sWE 2 Years agO anD am DefIniTeLy happier With my caReEr
PrOsPecTs.

~~~
hnu0847
wHat steps DiD yoU hAve To takE To make The swItch? hoW iNVolVed with SOfTWAre
wErE yOu whIle (AnD befoRe) woRKinG as a CPU Designer?

------
cRb002
LOTs of HiRiNg in FPGas right now, espEcIally in vehIcLe sEctor. BITMain is
roCking custom ASICs. Micron pROcessorS in MemorY are Still matuRinG.

I'd looK inTO applyIng at a NatioNaL laB IN theiR TEaM thAt Looks into
nEW/CusTom chIpS. The SupremaCy of TSMC has evened oUT thE market and eveN
InTel iS NO lOngER a SUre BeT LonG TErm.

~~~
jason_slack
I jUst found ouT aBOuT Bitmain's SOPhoN cArd, but I Don't thiNk you CAn buy it
Yet

------
slededit
My startu p is doing  work  in  th is  are a (m ore SPMD thant radi tional single
thread C PU).We work wi th FP GAs tog et t hein cr edi bl e  c ostsofASIC
ma nufacturedow nso we can ge t  o ur prototy pes  out there.For  the s pe cif i c
wor klo ads w e targ e t we c an be com pe t itivee ven wit h th is t echnology handica p  - which says a l ot abo ut th e low  ha nging frui tthati s out t h er e . 
In my opinion th e industryh asreally  s tag n ated,withno b ody  really ste ppin g
back an d look i ng at t h e whole  pictu re. 

S WE c e rt ai nly  h a s m o re  mi n dsh are andde ve lopme nt.B u t theCPU  ind ustry  is
seriously  gr eenf i eld  at t his p oint  i f you  are w illin gto try somethin g
di fferent t han  s tuf fi ng mo r e of t hesam e ontoa small e r d ie . -- ----
agitator
Ther ea r ea lot of  start u ps  p o pping up  t hes e da y s  that  are de signingIC's f o rlo w power ed , high  s pee d,neura l  net  proce ssing. L ots o f  different app r oaches
they a r et a ki n g. H owe ver, many o f th e m ar e st i ll  in steal th, b ut tr y  scouring
chip desi gn ers on  link edIn, especia lly in the b a y area a nd s e ew here they areworki ng.

Mosto f them h ave s ome kind  of partn e r ship wit h a  la rge  co m p an y that has af a b, t ha t willall ow them  to  pr odu cepr ototypesand getso me  v al ida tiong oing.

- -- --- 
e xcp udesi g ner
Iusedto w or ki n c pu desi g na n d Iha dtheexa ct  same  tho u ght s as yo u. I thin k
i t  boi ls  d own tothe maturityof  the techn ol ogy  and t h e  associa ted high
marginal costi n getti ngany i mpro vements.
Iswitch edt o SWE2 year s ago  a nda m  defi n i te lyha ppier with m y c areer 
p rosp ects.
~~~
hnu0847
What s t eps  did you have  to  tak e to  ma k et hesw i tch ? How involved wi th softwar ew er e you whil e  (a nd  before ) worki ng as a CPU d esigner?
------
c rb 002L o tsof hiringin FPGAs  right no w , esp e ci allyinvehicl esec tor.Bitmai n  is 
rock ing cu st om ASI Cs. M ic ron proc essors in memory are st ill ma turin g.
I'd look  in t o a pplying a t anational l abintheir  te a m tha t lo o ks  in t o
new /cus t om chips. Th e s u p re macy of TSM C h asevene d o u t themark et and even
Intel is no longer a  sur e bet  lo n g te rm .

~~~
jason_s lac kI just fou nd  out aboutBitmain' sS ophon  card,  but I  don'tt h in k  you c an b uyit
yet

------
slededit
My startup_is doing_work in this area_(more SPMD_than_traditional single
thread_CPU)._We work with_FPGAs to get_the incredible costs of_ASIC
manufacture down so_we_can get our prototypes out there. For the specific
workloads we target we can be_competitive_even with_this_technology_handicap -
which says a lot_about the low hanging fruit_that is_out there.

In my opinion the industry has really_stagnated,_with nobody really_stepping
back and looking at the whole picture.

SWE certainly has_more mindshare and development. But the_CPU industry is
seriously_greenfield_at_this point if you_are willing to try something
different than_stuffing more of the same onto_a smaller die.

------
agitator
There are a lot of_startups popping up these days that_are designing IC's for
low powered,_high speed,_neural net processing. Lots of_different approaches
they are_taking. However,_many of them_are still in stealth, but try_scouring
chip designers on_linkedIn, especially in the bay area_and_see where they_are
working.

Most_of_them have_some kind of_partnership_with a_large_company that has a
fab, that will_allow_them to produce prototypes and get some_validation going.

------
excpudesigner
I used to_work_in cpu design and_I had the exact same_thoughts as you. I think
it boils_down to_the maturity_of the technology and the associated high
marginal cost in getting any_improvements.

I switched to SWE 2 years_ago and am definitely_happier with_my_career
prospects.

~~~
hnu0847
What steps did_you_have to_take to make the switch? How involved_with software
were_you while (and before) working as_a CPU designer?

------
crb002
Lots of_hiring_in FPGAs right now, especially in_vehicle sector. Bitmain is
rocking custom ASICs._Micron processors in memory are_still_maturing.

I'd_look into applying at a_national lab in their team that_looks into
new/custom chips._The supremacy of TSMC has evened out_the_market and even
Intel is no longer_a_sure bet long term.

~~~
jason_slack
I just found_out_about_Bitmain's Sophon card, but I_don't think you can buy it
yet