Intel Launches Lower-Power Gaudi 3 AI Chips for China, Complying with US Sanctions

The new China-specific Gaudi 3 models, HL-328 and HL-388, feature reduced thermal design power to adhere to export controls, with launches scheduled for June and September.

Intel's new Gaudi 3 AI accelerators, HL-328 and HL-388, are designed specifically for the Chinese market with a thermal design power of 450 watts, significantly lower than other models.
The China-specific models will be available in OAM and PCIe form factors, with the former launching in June and the latter in September.
Despite the power reduction, these models maintain similar memory and bandwidth specifications to other Gaudi 3 variants, suggesting comparable performance levels.
Intel aims to compete with Nvidia's H20 in China, as both models are designed to meet the same export performance limits.
The introduction of these models is part of Intel's strategy to navigate U.S. sanctions while attempting to capture market share in China's competitive AI sector.