Nvidia, renowned for revolutionising graphics cards and driving the AI boom in 2024, has unveiled its first desktop computer, Project DIGITS. This personal AI supercomputer targets AI researchers, data scientists, and students, promising groundbreaking capabilities for developing and running large-scale AI models from the comfort of their desktops.
A Leap in AI Computing
At the heart of Project DIGITS is Nvidia’s GB10 Grace Blackwell super chip, delivering a staggering petaflop of AI computing power. This system is designed for high-performance AI tasks, enabling users to prototype, fine-tune, and run inferences on advanced AI models seamlessly.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang shared his vision, stating:
“AI will be mainstream in every application for every industry. With Project DIGITS, the Grace Blackwell Superchip comes to millions of developers.”
By placing an AI supercomputer on desktops, Nvidia aims to empower developers to actively shape the age of AI innovation.
Cutting-Edge Hardware
The GB10 super chip integrates cutting-edge technologies to support demanding AI workloads. Key features include:
- Nvidia Blackwell GPU: Equipped with fifteenth-generation Tensor cores for efficient AI computations.
- Nvidia Grace CPU: A high-performance processor with 20 power-efficient cores built on Arm architecture.
- NVLink chip-to-chip interconnect: Seamless communication between GPU and CPU for optimal performance.
- Unified Memory and Storage: 128GB of unified memory and up to 4TB of NVMe storage for handling massive datasets.
This architecture allows users to run large language models (LLMs) with up to 200 billion parameters. When linked, multiple Project DIGITS systems can handle models as large as 405 billion parameters, making it a versatile solution for AI exploration.
Advanced Software and Scalability
Project DIGITS runs on a customised version of Ubuntu Linux called NVIDIA DGX OS, offering a tailored environment for AI development. Users can start their projects on the desktop and scale effortlessly to cloud or data centre infrastructures powered by Nvidia AI Enterprise software.
The system’s seamless scalability ensures that developers can transition from experimentation to production without compatibility concerns.
Availability and Price
Nvidia has announced that Project DIGITS will be available starting in May, priced at approximately R56,300 (excl. VAT and duties). This pricing positions it as a competitive option for individuals and organisations eager to harness AI’s potential.
