x86, ARM and RISC-V, How to Choose the Optimal Architecture for Your AI Applications?

With the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI), choosing the right processor architecture for AI applications has become crucial. In the current market, RISC-V, x86, and ARM architectures are among the most prominent processor architectures. They each have their distinct features in terms of performance, power consumption, and software support, and they provide different advantages and disadvantages for AI applications.
 

Overview

Comparison of x86, ARM, and RISC-V in AI Applications

Performance and Computing Power:

• x86 Architecture: x86 architecture offers powerful computing capabilities for AI and machine learning. Intel and AMD's x86 processors have widespread support and optimization in this regard. They provide strong floating-point performance and highly parallelized instruction sets, suitable for complex numerical calculations and large-scale datasets.
• ARM Architecture: ARM architecture has also made significant strides in AI and machine learning. Through its Neon SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) extension, ARM processors deliver efficient parallel computing capabilities. ARM's Cortex-A series processors excel in high-performance tasks and find extensive use in mobile devices and embedded systems.
• RISC-V Architecture: RISC-V architecture can also be used for AI and machine learning tasks, but currently has relatively limited ecosystem and optimization support in this area. However, due to RISC-V's open specification and platform, users can design and customize processor cores according to their specific AI and machine learning requirements.

Power Efficiency:

• ARM Architecture: ARM architecture typically excels in power efficiency. The low power consumption of ARM processors gives them an advantage in mobile devices and embedded systems. ARM's low-power design and energy-saving techniques make it an ideal choice for edge computing and IoT applications.
• x86 Architecture: In comparison, x86 architecture generally has higher power consumption, especially in high-performance tasks. High-performance x86 processors often require more power supply and cooling solutions, which may pose some challenges in power-sensitive applications.
• RISC-V Architecture: As a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) architecture, RISC-V can also offer advantages in certain power-sensitive scenarios. With the customizability of RISC-V, users can design low-power processor cores to meet specific power requirements.

Ecosystem and Support:

• x86 Architecture: x86 architecture has a strong ecosystem and extensive software support in AI and machine learning. Many popular frameworks and tools have optimized versions for x86 architecture. Intel and AMD, as major suppliers, provide a wide range of development tools, libraries, and documentation to support AI and machine learning developers.
• ARM Architecture: ARM architecture also has a considerable ecosystem and support, particularly in the mobile and embedded domains. ARM provides optimized toolchains, libraries, and frameworks for AI and machine learning, such as the ARM Compute Library and ARM NN (Neural Network) software framework.
• RISC-V Architecture: RISC-V is relatively new in terms of ecosystem and support, but it is evolving rapidly. There are many open-source projects and tools in the community, such as the RISC-V GNU toolchain and RISC-V Vector Extension. However, compared to x86 and ARM, the ecosystem and optimization support for RISC-V are still somewhat limited.

Customizability and Flexibility:

• RISC-V Architecture: RISC-V architecture, being an open specification and platform, offers higher customizability and flexibility. Users can design and customize processor cores according to their specific AI and machine learning tasks. This flexibility gives RISC-V an advantage in research, education, and custom applications.
• x86 and ARM Architecture: In contrast, x86 and ARM architectures are more standardized, limiting the possibilities for customization. While some vendors may offer certain customization options, overall their designs and functionalities are fixed.

Cost and Availability:

• ARM Architecture: ARM architecture typically has an advantage in terms of cost and availability. ARM processors are widely used in mobile devices, embedded systems, and IoT devices, with high availability in large-scale production and consumer markets. ARM processors have relatively lower costs, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.
• x86 Architecture: In comparison, x86 processors are generally more expensive and may have lower availability in certain application domains. x86 processors are primarily used in high-performance computing, data centers, and personal computers, where cost requirements tend to be higher.
• RISC-V Architecture: RISC-V, being an open specification, can lower IP licensing and costs, and can offer more competitive solutions in certain specific application scenarios. However, currently there are relatively few commercially available RISC-V processors in the market, thus there are still some limitations in terms of cost and availability.

Performance Comparison of x86, ARM, and RISC-V Processors

x86, ARM, and RISC-V processors are specific implementations of the x86, ARM, and RISC-V architectures. The comparison of processor performance primarily involves CPU, NPU, image processing, and supported architectures.

Top 3 AI Chips based on x86, ARM and RISC-V

Intel - Meteor Lake - X86

The Meteor Lake processor adopts modular architecture with four independent modules connected through Foveros 3D packaging technology. The computing modules are built using Intel's 4nm process technology for the first time, making Meteor Lake the most energy-efficient client platform in Intel's history.

Key Features:

• The first Intel CPU with an integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU)
• Features Intel's latest ARC graphics architecture, delivering twice the graphics performance compared to the previous generation. It offers discrete-level performance within the integrated graphics, supports ray tracing, and includes a comprehensive DX12 feature set.
• The introduction of the LP E-Core marks a significant milestone in Intel's high-performance hybrid architecture. Its modular design represents a major architectural shift for Intel in the past 40 years.
• The inclusion of the NPU signifies Intel's commitment to bringing AI extensively to PCs and ushering in the AI era for personal computing. The vast x86 ecosystem will provide a wide range of software models and tools. The new processors, through the implementation of the XPU strategy, bring further innovation to high-efficiency AI PCs.

Advantages:

• Lower latency & running costs
• No more slow-downs caused by internet problems
• Improved privacy & security
• Makes using AI on the daily a more convenient affair
• Up to 8X more efficient in workloads compared to previous-gen CPUs

ARM - Cortex-M55

The Cortex-M55 is the company’s most AI-capable Cortex-M processor, bringing endpoint AI to billions. It’s also the first one to feature Arm Helium vector processing technology for energy-efficient and enhanced digital signal processing, or DSP, and machine learning performance.

In addition to the new CPU microarchitecture which brings several new improvements, we also see the introduction of the new Ethos-U55 NPU IP that is meant to be integrated with the new M55 core. Arm’s new IP is meant to advance the machine learning and inferencing capabilities of billions of low-power embedded devices over the next several years, and expand its product portfolio for new use-cases.

Features:

• Features the ARMv8.1-M architecture
• Up to 400 MHz clock frequency
• 32-bit and 16-bit instruction support
• Helium vector processing engine for SIMD operations
• Memory protection unit (MPU) for enhanced security
• Nested vectored interrupt controller (NVIC) for efficient interrupt handling
• Low power consumption

SiFive Performance P870 - RISC-V

SiFive Performance P870 is a processor core based on the RISC-V architecture and is part of the SiFive Performance series. Designed for high-performance computing and data center applications, the SiFive Performance P870 processor core boasts robust processing capabilities and flexible customization.

Leveraging the open instruction set architecture of RISC-V, this processor core can meet the demands of various complex computing tasks, including artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and high-performance computing. The SiFive Performance P870 aims to provide customers with high-performance, low-power processor solutions to meet the growing demands of computation.

Features:

• High peak single-thread performance: Offers 50% higher peak single-thread performance (specINT2k6) in consumer applications and data centers.
• Six-wide out-of-order cores: Features six wide out-of-order cores, allowing it to process more instructions simultaneously and improve execution throughput. This is beneficial for multi-threaded applications and parallel computing.
• Shared cluster cache: Provides a shared cluster cache of up to 32 cores. Multiple cores can share the cache, reducing memory access latency and improving overall performance.
• Higher efficiency in computing and processing capabilities: combining the general-purpose scalar P870 with an NPU cluster consisting of the vector X390 and customer AI hardware intellectual property.

Conclusion

When comparing x86, ARM, and RISC-V processor architectures for AI applications, we can see that each architecture has its unique strengths and suitable use cases.

The x86 architecture stands out with its powerful computing capabilities and extensive software support, particularly in high-performance computing and large-scale data processing. It finds widespread application in large data centers and high-performance computing environments.

On the other hand, the ARM architecture excels in low power consumption and high efficiency, making it well-suited for mobile devices and edge computing. It has extensive usage in AI applications for mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices.

The RISC-V architecture, as an open instruction set architecture, offers customization and flexibility, opening up possibilities for research and custom development. While its commercial adoption is relatively limited, it has gained significant attention in academia and research, potentially playing a crucial role in future AI applications.