AMD readies Mega Pod equipped with 256 Instinct MI500 AI GPUs and Verano CPUs, leak indicates release of scalable platform surpassing Nvidia's, foreseen in 2027.
In the world of high-performance computing, two titans are gearing up for a showdown. AMD and Nvidia are preparing to unveil their next-generation rack-scale AI solutions, the MI500 Scale Up MegaPod from AMD and the VR300 NVL576 Kyber machines from Nvidia, both expected to be available in late 2027.
The MI500 Scale Up MegaPod, AMD's offering, will be a formidable force, boasting 64 EPYC 'Verano' CPUs and an impressive 256 Instinct MI500-series GPU packages. This system will comprise 64 compute trays serving 256 GPU modules, making it a significant leap from AMD's 2026 Helios. The MegaPod will also employ liquid cooling for both compute and networking trays, ensuring efficient heat management.
However, the planned availability and microarchitecture details of Nvidia's VR300 NVL576 Kyber machines remain tentative. What is known is that they are likely to debut around the same time as AMD's MegaPod. The Kyber machines are expected to feature 144 GPUs, and while AMD's MI500 UAL256 configuration offers around 78% more GPU packages per system, it's unclear how this translates to performance-wise.
The MI500 UAL256 architecture, AMD's larger system, spans three linked racks. Each of the two side racks will include 32 compute trays, and the central rack will house 18 trays dedicated to UALink switches. Micron Technology, a key partner in this venture, plans to start production of their Instinct MI500 series- and Rubin Ultra-based rack-scale solutions in mid-2028.
Both companies are expected to ramp up production of their respective rack-scale solutions in 2028. Yet, no performance estimates have been given for either the MI500 Scale Up MegaPod or the VR300 NVL576 Kyber machines. It's an exciting time for the tech industry as these giants prepare to push the boundaries of AI computing.
One thing is certain, the MI500 Scale Up MegaPod is expected to be considerably more powerful than AMD's 2026 Helios due to a larger number of GPU packages and revamped microarchitecture. However, the specific power consumption and heat generation of these systems remain undisclosed.
Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the anticipated launch dates of these groundbreaking technologies.
