Qualcomm Taps Intel Veteran to Lead Next-Gen Server CPU with Nuvia’s $1.4B Oryon Cores

Qualcomm hires former Intel Xeon architect Sailesh Kottapalli to lead its data center CPU development, leveraging Nuvia’s $1.4 billion Oryon cores

Introduction

Qualcomm is making a big move in the server CPU market. The company hired Sailesh Kottapalli, a seasoned expert with 28 years at Intel. Kottapalli led the development of multiple generations of Xeon processors. Now, he will spearhead Qualcomm’s efforts to build next-gen server CPUs. These processors will use advanced Oryon cores from Nuvia, which Qualcomm acquired for $1.4 billion. This marks a strong return to the data center space after its previous Centriq project ended in 2018.

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Background: Qualcomm’s Journey in Server CPUs

Qualcomm’s attempt to enter the server CPU market is not new. The company first ventured into this domain with its Centriq processors in 2017. The Centriq 2400, based on the Arm architecture, showcased promising performance and power efficiency. However, despite initial success, Qualcomm discontinued its server CPU line in 2018 due to limited market adoption and strategic shifts.

In 2021, Qualcomm acquired Nuvia, a startup founded by former Apple and Google chip architects, for $1.4 billion. Nuvia’s core technology, particularly its Arm-based Phoenix cores (now branded as Oryon cores), was initially designed for high-performance data center applications. Qualcomm’s recent hire of Kottapalli signals a renewed and focused push to leverage Nuvia’s innovations for server CPUs.

Overview: Key Highlights

  1. Leadership Appointment: Qualcomm hired Sailesh Kottapalli, a former Intel Xeon architect with 28 years of experience, to lead its server CPU development.
  2. Strategic Acquisition: The company’s upcoming server CPUs will be built using Nuvia’s Oryon cores, acquired for $1.4 billion.
  3. Market Context: The rise of Arm-based solutions, including Amazon’s Graviton processors, boosts confidence in Arm architecture for data centers.
  4. Growth Opportunities: Qualcomm’s return to the server market comes as software ecosystems increasingly support Arm instruction sets.
  5. Job Openings: Qualcomm is actively hiring key talent, such as an SoC Security Architect, for its data center initiatives.

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Sailesh Kottapalli’s Expertise: A Key Asset

Sailesh Kottapalli brings over two decades of experience in designing and architecting high-performance server processors. During his tenure at Intel, Kottapalli played a pivotal role in developing multiple generations of Xeon CPUs, which are widely deployed in enterprise data centers worldwide. His expertise spans x86 processors, Itanium projects, and GPU technologies.

Kottapalli expressed enthusiasm about his new role at Qualcomm. In a LinkedIn post, he wrote, “The opportunity to innovate and grow while helping to scale new frontiers was immensely compelling to me, a once-in-a-career opportunity that I could not pass on.”

Nuvia’s Oryon Cores: Qualcomm’s Trump Card

The acquisition of Nuvia provides Qualcomm with a solid technological foundation. Nuvia’s Oryon cores, initially designed for data centers, promise high performance, energy efficiency, and scalability—key attributes required for modern server processors. While Qualcomm has used these cores for its Snapdragon X series SoCs for consumer PCs, the company now aims to deploy them in data center environments.

Nuvia’s technology offers Qualcomm a competitive edge in an increasingly Arm-dominated server market. Notably, Amazon’s Graviton processors, built on Arm architecture, have gained significant traction in cloud services. Qualcomm hopes to replicate similar success by offering advanced, customizable server CPUs.

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Growing Market Demand for Arm-Based Solutions

The data center industry is gradually shifting towards Arm-based processors due to their superior power efficiency and performance per watt. Companies like Amazon, with its Graviton series, and Ampere Computing have demonstrated the viability of Arm in large-scale server deployments.

Moreover, software support for the Arm instruction set has significantly improved over the past few years. Major operating systems, hypervisors, and cloud-native applications now offer robust compatibility with Arm-based CPUs, making it easier for enterprises to adopt such solutions.

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Qualcomm’s Competitive Edge

Qualcomm’s return to the server CPU market is strategically timed. With increasing industry confidence in Arm processors and the growing demand for power-efficient servers, Qualcomm is well-positioned to capture market share. The company’s expertise in mobile SoCs and power-efficient designs gives it a unique advantage in designing high-performance yet energy-efficient server processors.

By hiring industry veterans like Kottapalli and investing in cutting-edge technologies, Qualcomm signals its serious commitment to becoming a major player in the server CPU space.

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Opportunities and Challenges Ahead

While Qualcomm’s prospects look promising, it faces several challenges:

  • Market Competition: Intel and AMD dominate the server CPU market, and newer players like Ampere Computing are also vying for a share.
  • Ecosystem Development: Although software support for Arm has improved, x86 still enjoys a broader ecosystem and legacy compatibility.
  • Customer Trust: Building trust with enterprise customers will be crucial. Hiring experienced leaders like Kottapalli helps in this regard.

On the opportunity side, Qualcomm can leverage its Nuvia acquisition, focus on power efficiency, and capitalize on the growing demand for Arm solutions.

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Conclusion

Qualcomm’s renewed foray into the server CPU market marks a significant strategic move. With the appointment of Sailesh Kottapalli and the integration of Nuvia’s Oryon core technology, the company is well-positioned to challenge established players. As the industry shifts towards Arm-based solutions, Qualcomm’s timely entry could reshape the competitive landscape.

The coming years will reveal whether Qualcomm can successfully execute its ambitious plans and become a key player in the data center market. For now, the company’s efforts signal a strong intent to innovate and lead in this high-stakes arena.

Kumar Priyadarshi
Kumar Priyadarshi

Kumar Joined IISER Pune after qualifying IIT-JEE in 2012. In his 5th year, he travelled to Singapore for his master’s thesis which yielded a Research Paper in ACS Nano. Kumar Joined Global Foundries as a process Engineer in Singapore working at 40 nm Process node. Working as a scientist at IIT Bombay as Senior Scientist, Kumar Led the team which built India’s 1st Memory Chip with Semiconductor Lab (SCL).

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