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Exploring NVIDIA's Move from ARM to RISC V in GPUs

Rob and PJ return to discuss NVIDIA's strategic shift from Falcon and ARM microcontrollers in their GPUs to the open-source RISC V. The conversation delves into the history, technical considerations, and licensing challenges of microprocessors. They examine why ARM's longstanding presence is being challenged by RISC V, especially for embedded controllers, its flexibility, and cost advantages, alongside security concerns and the future potential of open-source hardware.

00:00 Welcome Back to Tricky Bits
00:27 NVIDIA's Shift to RISC V Microcontrollers
02:02 The Role of Microcontrollers in Modern Devices
04:33 Technical Challenges and Limitations
06:18 Designing Custom Microcontrollers
16:33 RISC V: The New Contender
18:00 Comparing ARM and RISC V
24:13 Apple's Strategic Choices
31:48 RISC V Maturity and Market Penetration
33:58 Challenges and Security Concerns
36:53 Financial Incentives and Reference Models
40:48 Comparing RISC V and ARM
42:25 Security Concerns with Chinese RISC V Chips
49:22 Microcontrollers and Their Ubiquity
54:34 Future of Processor Diversity
58:28 Open Source Innovation and Ecosystem