[The Exiled]

TSMC optimizes workloads with AMD EPYC CPUs

“We first introduced AMD EPYC processors into the general workload,” explains Simon Wang, Director of Infrastructure and Communication Services Division at TSMC, “and they are being deployed with our research and development team.” TSMC was looking for a server solution optimized to implement a hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) design where all three components — compute, storage and networking — could be provided by the same underlying hardware. “Performance-wise, we had no doubts.

We tested [EPYC] with key applications and performance was excellent. For manufacturing and the general workloads for support functions, there has been no issue with compatibility.” The company’s testing showed full compatibility with multiple Linux distributions, Windows system, and storage virtualization. “We leverage a lot of virtualization technology, and we already tested that. We're doing apilot launch with some storage virtualization products, and they also offer certified AMD EPYC products.”

TSMC now is expanding its AMD EPYC processor rollout across the company. “We're now introducing EPYC servers into our manufacturing teams,” says Wang. The new HF high-frequency AMD EPYC CPU rangeis a focus of interest, specifically the 7F72 with 24 cores and a base 3.2GHz clock frequency. “That's the CPU we're considering for R&D, because of the high clock rate. This team doesn't necessarily need more sockets or cores.