Microsoft launches public preview of Arm-based Cobalt chips: Here’s what you need to know

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In a significant move aimed at bolstering its cloud infrastructure, Microsoft launched its Azure Maia 100 and Cobalt 100 chips, marking the tech giant's foray into custom silicon design. The announcement came during the company's annual developer conference, Build 2024, where CEO Satya Nadella unveiled plans for the public preview of Microsoft's Arm-based Cobalt CPU.

Businesses can now access the preview of the new Arm-based Cobalt CPU through Azure virtual machines, as confirmed by Nadella during his keynote address. Emphasising performance enhancements tailored for cloud workloads, Nadella underscored the strategic importance of these chips in Microsoft's ecosystem.

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Microsoft's venture into custom silicon aims to address specific needs within its cloud infrastructure, particularly in AI capabilities. With its custom AI chip, Microsoft targets large language model training, potentially reducing dependence on external solutions like Nvidia. Additionally, the introduction of an Arm-based CPU caters to the evolving demands of cloud workloads, aligning with Microsoft's forward-looking approach.

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The Cobalt CPU, boasting 128 cores and built on an Arm Neoverse CSS design, promises to elevate general cloud services on Azure. Initial testing on platforms like Microsoft Teams and SQL servers indicates promising performance outcomes. Microsoft plans to swiftly expand access to virtual machines tailored for diverse workloads, ensuring scalability and versatility for its customers.

Meanwhile, the Maia 100 AI accelerator, named after a prominent celestial entity, stands poised to revolutionise cloud-based AI workloads. Designed for tasks such as large language model training and inference, Maia is slated to power some of Azure's most demanding AI endeavours. Notably,