Nvidia Unveils Silicon Photonics Switches for AI Factories with Millions of GPUs

New Spectrum-X and Quantum-X platforms promise unprecedented speed, scalability, and energy efficiency for next-generation data centers.

Nvidia's Spectrum-X Ethernet and Quantum-X InfiniBand switches leverage silicon photonics and co-packaged optics to achieve up to 400 Tb/s aggregate bandwidth.
The Quantum-X switches double performance and improve AI compute scalability fivefold compared to previous-generation solutions.
Liquid cooling systems in Quantum-X switches ensure efficient operation of silicon photonics chips, reducing overheating risks.
Nvidia collaborated with TSMC and other partners to develop the Compact Universal Photonic Engine (COUPE) platform for integrating optical and silicon components.
Quantum-X switches are set for release in 2025, with Spectrum-X Ethernet switches expected in 2026, though adoption may hinge on infrastructure upgrades.