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A few days ago, a semiconductor startup called Bolt Graphics, based in Sunnyvale, California, introduced the Zeus GPU—its flagship graphic card, through a press release. A product it vows will leave its competition in its wake. Should we be excited?
The startup, founded in 2020 and led by co-founder and CEO Darwesh Singh, has since its inception focused on improving performance in tasks such as simulations and 3D graphics while also aiming to reduce power consumption. The new GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), is said to offer, high-performance computing (HPC), and gaming workloads. The biggest game-changer with Zeus is its expandable memory. A single Zeus GPU can hold up to 384 GB of memory if used as a PCIe card plugged into your computer. But if installed in a 2U server like the one used in data centers, each card can handle a massive 2.25 TB of memory—imagine that power. If you stack multiple Zeus-powered servers together—like in a full rack—you could reach an incredible 180 TB of total memory… That’s a huge leap in storage and processing power, allowing Zeus to handle incredibly complex tasks with ease.
Zeus GPU
On paper, the numbers Zeus boasts are unheard of, not to mention it’s also the first GPU to come with built-in ultra-fast networking (400 GbE and 800 GbE), allowing multiple GPUs to connect and work together seamlessly on a massive scale. Bolt Graphics claims that the Zeus GPU can be up to 10 times faster for rendering (creating realistic images), 6 times faster for high-performance computing (HPC) tasks, and a massive 300 times faster for simulations involving electromagnetic waves. These simulations can be used in designing advanced technology like CT and X-ray scanners, radar sensors, stealth materials, and optical lenses. higher quality technology, faster innovation, and potentially lower costs for industries that rely on these advanced tools.
Like we hadn’t heard enough, Bolt Graphics’ also introduced the Glowstick, a real-time path tracer designed to push visual realism to new heights. The company claims that with just a single Zeus PCIe card, 4K path tracing can be achieved at 120 frames per second, making it ideal for gaming and product design. In the film industry, a cluster of 28 Zeus GPUs is said to deliver the same rendering power as 280 older-generation GPUs, drastically improving efficiency. Glowstick comes bundled with Zeus at no extra charge and is fully compatible with industry standards like MaterialX and OpenUSD, ensuring seamless integration across creative workflows.
If what this innovation promises is true, then companies like NVIDIA have got something coming their way. It’s all good news for us, though, because we would love to see some real competition shake up the GPU market.
