Baidu Rolls Out AMD EPYC Server Processor Platforms For ABC Data Centers

Baidu isn’t a huge name here in the U.S., but in China, it is a behemoth internet search provider. Baidu isn’t all about search though and much like Google, it has fingers in lots of pies including artificial intelligence (AI). Baidu and AMD have announced a partnership that will see the firm deploying single-socket AMD EPYC platforms for its ABC Datacenters.

ABC stands for AI, big data, and cloud computing services. The single socket EPYC platforms will be used by Baidu to optimize and deliver storage and computer services to customers. AMD notes that Baidu plans to roll out expanded use of EPYC processors in global datacenters during the first quarter of 2018.

"By offering outstanding performance in single-processor systems, the AMD EPYC platform provides flexibility and high-performance in our datacenter, which allows Baidu to deliver more efficient services to our customers," said Liu Chao, senior director, Baidu System Technologies Department. "Baidu’s mission is to make a complex world simpler through technology, and we are constantly looking to discover and apply the latest cutting-edge technologies, innovations, and solutions to business. AMD EPYC processors provide Baidu with a new level of energy efficient and powerful computing capability."

"Baidu is a long-recognized pioneer in datacenter innovations, and with their adoption of AMD EPYC they continue down that path by leveraging our single-socket innovations to power their ABC strategy," said Scott Aylor, corporate vice president, and general manager, AMD Enterprise Solutions. "It is a thrilling experience to work side-by-side with Baidu to explore the capabilities of AMD EPYC and maximize its application across their customers’ workloads."

EPYC processors supports 128 lanes of PCIe connectivity and deliver 2.6 times the I/O density compared to competitive solutions according to AMD. Intel recently compared the performance of some of its CPUs to the EPYC parts in late November to [of course] show that its processors beat AMD's offerings in many situations.