The Circuit - podcast cover

The Circuit

Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldbergthecircuit.fm
A podcast about the business and market of semiconductors
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Episodes

EP 180: HPE Reflections on AI Compute Racks, Analog Analog Analog Semis.

Key Topics: AI infrastructure evolution Server and rack engineering innovations Analog components and power management Semiconductor industry growth and GPU impact Enterprise and hyperscaler strategies for differentiation Cooling technologies and hybrid solutions Networking and infrastructure for AI workloads Multi-cloud and on-prem AI deployment trends

Jun 22, 202648 minEp. 173

EP 179: Apple's WWDC and Siri AI, Nebius Inflection, China Trip Takeaways

In this episode of The Circuit, Ben and Jay dive deep into Apple's WWDC announcements , unpacking the "applied AI" strategy behind the newly indexed Siri, system-level CPU scheduling updates, and Apple's surprising embrace of Nvidia for private cloud compute. Ben also shares his takeaways from the Nebius conference in San Francisco, analyzing their unique custom server racks and their positioning as a highly capable neo-cloud infrastructure provider. Finally, Jay reports back from his recent tri...

Jun 15, 202653 minEp. 172

Ep 178: COMPUTEX! Broadcom Earnings, other nuggets from the Week

Welcome back to another episode of The Circuit with Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg! Broadcasting out of the post-Computex haze—with Jay still stationed somewhere in Asia —the guys dive into a hardware industry undergoing a massive transition. Computex is no longer just a traditional PC and motherboard showcase; it is officially the new epicenter of AI server and data center infrastructure. Alongside the hardware pivot, Ben and Jay break down Broadcom's recent earnings, discussing how a 20% post-ea...

Jun 08, 202643 minEp. 171

EP 176: Earnings! Marvell, Synopsis, Dell and more thesis time.

n this episode of The Circuit , hosts Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg break down the latest tech earnings and shifting infrastructure narratives driving the AI boom. Recorded slightly late ahead of the Computex frenzy in Taipei, the duo kicks things off with a surprising reading recommendation: Pope Leo XIV’s balanced, 40,000-word encyclical on AI. Shifting to the markets, they analyze Marvell's solid quarter, highlighting how the transition from training to a heterogeneous inference era is shiftin...

Jun 01, 202645 minEp. 170

EP 166: NVIDIA Earnings, Dell Tech World and Storage Shock, Tech IPOs

In this episode of The Circuit , hosts Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg dive into the latest tectonic shifts across the technology and semiconductor sectors, starting with a deep dive into Nvidia's recent earnings report . They analyze Nvidia's impressive numbers—including $91 billion in revenue guidance and strong gross margins—and contrast that success with the stock's stagnant post-earnings performance, comparing the current market skepticism to Apple’s smartphone growth cycle around 2010 . The d...

May 26, 202659 minEp. 169

EP 165: Cerebras IPO, Premium Tokens, Neo Clouds, and the Angstrom Era

In this episode of The Circuit , hosts Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg dive into the rapidly shifting economics and structural changes across the semiconductor and AI industries. From the recent Cerebras IPO to the massive long-term forecast visibility in wafer fabrication equipment, they analyze whether current capital cycles align with the reality of enterprise AI demand. Finally, they debate how the "Angstrom era" and the end of Moore’s law are forcing a complete reinvention of chip manufacturin...

May 18, 202656 minEp. 168

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

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg dive deep into the rapidly shifting landscape of semiconductor supply chains and the unexpected "CPU renaissance" driven by agentic AI. The duo explores the "ultimate constraint" currently bottlenecking the industry, breaks down the latest earnings from ARM and AMD, and analyzes why the "Neo Cloud" players might be facing a massive strategic deficit. Key Discussion Points: The Anhydrous Hydrogen Bromine Crisis: Jay reveals the "ultimate shortage" inv...

May 11, 20261 hr 2 minEp. 167

EP 163: Breaking the Memory Wall: Micron’s Strategy for the AI Era

This episode features Jeremy Werner from Micron, who details AI's transformative impact on memory and storage, driving sustainable growth beyond traditional cycles. He explores the "memory wall" in AI inference, where massive, fast memory is crucial for expanding context windows and preventing recomputation. Werner also highlights Micron's innovations, including HBM4 and ultra-high-capacity SSDs, to overcome power and space constraints in data centers.

May 05, 202652 minEp. 166

EP 162: TPUs Via Cloud Next, Intel Earnings, Foundry Scarcity

In this episode of The Circuit , Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg dive deep into an action-packed week for the semiconductor industry. Ben shares his firsthand insights from Google Next, detailing the launch of the new TPU v5p and v5i (referenced as 8T and 8I) and Google’s strategic shift toward disaggregated training and inference silicon. The duo then pivots to Intel’s surprisingly strong earnings, discussing whether the "CPU resurgence" and foundry improvements signal an end to the company’s exis...

Apr 27, 202649 minEp. 165

EP 161: TSMC Earnings, Cerebras S1, Custom Semi Rumors, Apple CEO Change

In this episode of The Circuit , Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg analyze a pivotal week in tech, beginning with TSMC’s strong earnings and their strategic decision to ramp up CapEx and N3 production specifically to meet massive AI demand. The duo explores the industry-wide compute deficit impacting firms like Anthropic and the potential IPO of Cerebras, while discussing the fragmenting market for custom ASICs as Google explores design partners like Marvell and MediaTek. Finally, they weigh in on th...

Apr 21, 202652 minEp. 164

EP 159: MediaTek and the Evolving Custom ASIC Business, More Memory Pain, and More

Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the latest developments in the semiconductor industry, focusing on MediaTek's strategic shift into ASICs, memory shortages, supply chain constraints, and Intel's recent acquisitions. They analyze market dynamics, technological advancements, and future trends shaping the industry.

Apr 06, 202654 minEp. 162

EP 158: Arm 2.0, Memory Freak Out, and AI Models

This episode explores ARM's strategic shift into product manufacturing, the implications for the CPU market, and the evolving landscape of AI and memory technology. Hosts Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg analyze ARM's new CPU launches, market positioning, and the future of AI models like Mythos, providing insights into the industry's next phase.

Mar 30, 202649 minEp. 161

EP: 157 GTC! OFC! Micron Earnings (margin city)

Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss Nvidia GTC, AI infrastructure, optical networking, and the future of semiconductor technology. They analyze Nvidia's strategic positioning, product innovations, and industry trends shaping the AI and data center landscape. They also talk OFC/optical trends and Micron earnings.

Mar 23, 202659 minEp. 160

EP 156: Evolving Dynamics of AI Infrastructure, Open Source Agents, Meta's ASIC Roadmap

In this episode of The Circuit , hosts Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg dive into NVIDIA’s strategic positioning within the AI infrastructure stack, colloquially referred to as a "five-layer cake". They dissect NVIDIA’s recent push into open-source models, comparing it to Intel’s historical dominance through Linux optimizations, while questioning the true intent behind NVIDIA’s $26 billion "investment" in open-source R&D. The conversation shifts to the rapidly evolving world of "agentic orchestr...

Mar 16, 202643 minEp. 159

Ep 155: Broadcom/Marvell Earnings, Copper to Fiber, and Apple News!

Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg analyze the latest earnings reports from Broadcom and Marvell, discuss the future of AI semiconductors, optical vs copper interconnects, and Apple's strategic moves in affordable devices. They explore industry trends, supply chain dynamics, and technological innovations shaping the semiconductor and consumer electronics markets.

Mar 10, 202655 minEp. 158

Episode 155: SHOW ME THE MONEY! NVIDIA Earnings, and more from the Week!

In this episode, Ben and Jay discuss a whirlwind week of announcements in the tech industry, focusing on AMD's partnership with Meta, NVIDIA's impressive quarterly performance, and OpenAI's significant funding round. They explore the implications of these developments for the semiconductor market, the rise of AI agents, and the future of SaaS. The conversation highlights the importance of profitability, strategic partnerships, and the evolving competitive landscape in the tech sector....

Mar 02, 20261 hr 2 minEp. 157

Episode 154: Live with GSA, the State of Semis, Key Inflection Points Coming

In this episode of The Circuit, Ben Bajarin, Jay Goldberg, and Paul Karazuba discuss the current state of the semiconductor industry, focusing on the impact of tariffs, supply chain challenges, and the shift from copper to fiber in networking. They explore the inflection points driving demand for AI compute and the potential for mergers and acquisitions in the sector. The conversation highlights the complexities of navigating geopolitical tensions and the evolving landscape of technology and inf...

Feb 23, 202658 minEp. 156

EP 153: Nebius and Neocloud Insights, WFE + Memory Madness, Networking Upside

In this episode, Ben and Jay discuss various topics related to the tech industry, focusing on hyperscalers, cloud computing, and the memory market. They analyze the earnings of Nebius and CoreWeave, the implications of heavy asset businesses, and the dynamics of AI and memory. The conversation also covers the performance of Applied Materials and networking companies like Cisco and Arista, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in these sectors.

Feb 16, 202649 minEp. 155

EP 152: CAPEXXXXXX!!!! The Trillion Dollar Datacenter Race and More

In this episode, Ben and Jay discuss the significant surge in capital expenditure (CapEx) among major tech companies, dubbed 'CapEx Palooza.' They explore investor sentiment and market reactions to these expenditures, the implications of backlogs and demand in the tech sector, and the future of AI and cloud services. The conversation also delves into the dynamics of CapEx spending among hyperscalers, emerging trends in semiconductor mergers and acquisitions, and the impact of rising memory price...

Feb 09, 202646 minEp. 154

EP 151: WFE Boom! Insight from the Clouds. Word of the year - constraints

This episode of The Circuit dives into the current "gold rush" of semiconductor earnings, navigating the tension between unprecedented demand and the hard physical constraints of the supply chain. Hosts Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg explore why the current Wafer Fab Equipment (WFE) cycle is structurally different from the past, the internal "compute wars" happening within hyperscalers like Microsoft and Meta, and the surprising volatility in the storage and analog markets.Whether it's the "AI hot...

Feb 02, 20261 hr 1 minEp. 153

EP 150: Intel Earnings, Some Intel Growth Theories, X86 v. Arm in Datacenter

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss Intel's recent earnings report, highlighting the company's strong Q4 performance but disappointing guidance due to wafer capacity constraints. They explore the challenges Intel faces in scaling its foundry operations, the market's reaction to the earnings call, and the strategic decisions being made by Intel's leadership. The conversation also delves into the complexities of advanced packaging and yield issues, as well as the future opportuni...

Jan 26, 202644 minEp. 152

Ep 149: TSMC Q4 25 Earnings, OpenAI Needs more Compute and Monetization

In this episode of The Circuit , Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the launch of Ben's new publication, "The Diligent Stack." The duo then performs a deep dive into TSMC’s recent earnings, analyzing the risks of semiconductor cyclicality, the massive CapEx requirements for the future, and the specific bottlenecks in advanced packaging (CoWoS). Later, they shift focus to OpenAI’s partnership with Cerebras and the introduction of ads to fund massive compute needs. Finally, they break down the l...

Jan 19, 202655 minEp. 151

Ep 148: All the Happenings from CES 2026!

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the highlights from CES 2023, focusing on the significant advancements in robotics, AI infrastructure, and the competitive landscape among major tech companies like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel. They explore the themes of modularity in data centers, the evolving role of CPUs, and the challenges posed by memory supply constraints. The conversation also touches on the future of autonomous vehicles and the integration of AI in everyday technology, emp...

Jan 12, 202659 minEp. 150

EP 147: Talking All Things AI with Benedict Evans

In this conversation, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg engage with Benedict Evans to explore the current state of AI development, its historical context, and future predictions. They discuss the potential for an AI bubble, the importance of productization for user adoption, and the varying levels of AI integration across different industries. The conversation also touches on the comparison between Nvidia and Sun Microsystems, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the AI landscape....

Dec 29, 202552 minEp. 149

EP 146: The State of AI Networking with Austin Lyons

In this episode, Ben Bajarin, Jay Goldberg, and Austin Lyons delve into the evolving landscape of networking, particularly in the context of AI and GPU technologies. They discuss the transition from traditional networking methods to more complex AI-driven networking, the significance of scaling strategies, and the critical role of SerDes in modern data centers. The conversation also touches on the ongoing debate between copper and optical networking solutions, highlighting the challenges and inn...

Dec 22, 202550 minEp. 148

EP 145: Marvell Analyst Day, Broadcom Earnings, AI Trade Sentiment

This discussion analyzes the evolving landscape of semiconductor networking and custom silicon, anchored by recent updates from Marvell and Broadcom. Ben and Jay review Marvell’s Industry Analyst Day, noting the company’s strategic pivot toward networking and optical interconnects over pure custom logic. They debate the technical and timeline challenges of shifting AI clusters from copper to optical (fiber) cabling, contrasting Google’s proprietary all-optical approach with the broader merchant ...

Dec 15, 202543 minEp. 147

EP 144: AWS Tranium, Marvell Earnings, Intel EMIB!

In this episode, Ben and Jay discuss a range of topics including Ben's health update, Amazon's recent AWS event focusing on AI compute, the competitive landscape with Nvidia and Google, Marvell's earnings and challenges in custom silicon, networking innovations with DPUs, Marvell's acquisition of Celestial, Nvidia's investment in Synopsys, Intel's resurgence in advanced packaging, and the leadership changes at Apple. The conversation highlights the evolving dynamics in the tech industry, particu...

Dec 09, 202557 minEp. 146

EP 143: NVIDIA Earnings! Google and Gemini TPUs FTW

In this conversation, Ben Bajarin discusses the recent innovations surrounding NanoBanana and its new feature, Notebook LM, which has significantly impacted the way infographics are created. He highlights the ease with which users can transform data and text into visually appealing infographics, showcasing the power of AI in data visualization.

Nov 24, 202547 minEp. 145

Ep 142: AMD Financial Analyst Day, Neoclouds earnings - REITS or Neoclouds?

The conversation explores the dynamics of market competition, particularly focusing on AMD's position and the strategies of hyperscalers. The discussion delves into game theory as a framework for understanding potential future scenarios in the tech industry. They also discuss key neocloud earnings and engage in a conversation on if these companies are REITs or neoclouds.

Nov 18, 202546 minEp. 144
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