Nvidia has commenced the pre-order phase for a China-specific artificial intelligence (AI) chip, named the H20, through distributors who are setting its pricing at a level similar to a competing product from Huawei, according to sources familiar with the situation. This graphics card represents the most robust option among the three that Nvidia has been crafting specifically for the Chinese market. The development of these chips aligns with the expanded U.S. restrictions on high-end chip exports, intended to impede China's advancements in AI and sophisticated military computing.
Notably, the H20, while formidable, is expected to offer less computing power compared to Nvidia's premier H100 AI chip and the H800, the latter being a China-specific card that faced a ban in October. Nevertheless, specifications for the H20 suggest that it falls short in certain crucial aspects compared to Huawei's Ascend 910B, as disclosed by three sources unauthorized to speak to the media but choosing to remain anonymous.
Nvidia has reportedly been establishing the pricing for H20 orders through distributors in China, ranging between $12,000 and $15,000 per card, according to two sources. A source mentioned that some distributors have initiated advertising the chips with a substantial markup towards the lower end of that range, approximately at 110,000 yuan ($15,320). In contrast, two sources indicated that Huawei's 910B is currently available for sale at around 120,000 yuan.