Qualcomm Recruits Intel’s Ex-Xeon Chief Architect to Boost Server CPU Development and Compete with x86 Solutions

Qualcomm is strategically positioning itself within the server CPU market following the recent recruitment of a key industry expert, the former Chief Architect of Intel’s Xeon processors. This move underscores the company’s ambition to compete aggressively in a segment long dominated by established players.

Expanding Horizons: Qualcomm’s Targeted Push into Server CPUs

After finding initial success with its mobile processors, notably the “Snapdragon X Elite”series, Qualcomm is keen to diversify its product lineup further. The company’s leadership has expressed a commitment to exploring new business avenues, with a particular focus on server CPUs. Recently, Qualcomm made headlines by hiring Sailesh Kottapalli, the previous Chief Architect for Intel’s Xeon line, signaling its intent to make a strong impact in this critical sector.

Insights into Qualcomm’s Future Server Architecture

In a related development, Qualcomm has posted a job opportunity for a “Server SoC Security Architect”as part of its data center division. This job listing hints that the company is making concrete plans for its server CPU line. Notably, it references the intention to create reference platforms utilizing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon architecture, indicating a comprehensive approach that encompasses hardware, software, and various support materials.

Our focus is on developing reference platforms based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon SoC, delivering a comprehensive solution that includes hardware, software, reference designs, user guides, SDKs, and more.

This strategic hiring from Intel’s ranks suggests that Qualcomm is serious about establishing a competitive presence in the CPU market. Given the technological foundation laid by Nuvia’s high-performance computing (HPC) cores, which Qualcomm disclosed last year, there is a clear direction toward integrating these advanced components into forthcoming server CPUs. The collaboration between Nuvia and Qualcomm indicates that the groundwork for this new offering is already underway.

Qualcomm's Centriq Server CPU — Qualcomm’s Centriq Server CPU

Pioneering ARM-Based Solutions for Data Centers

This latest initiative aligns Qualcomm with the growing trend of introducing ARM-based solutions into the data center market, an area traditionally filled by x86 architecture from Intel and AMD. While there have been ARM projects such as Amazon’s Graviton and options from Ampere Computing, they have not yet captured significant market attention. Qualcomm’s achievements with “Windows on ARM”exemplify its capabilities, indicating that similar success is possible for its impending server CPU offerings.

It’s worth noting that Qualcomm has previous experience in the server CPU arena with its “Centriq”series launched in 2017. Although these processors gained considerable visibility, the lack of sufficient software support for ARM architecture and the overwhelming dominance of x86 processors at the time hampered their success. To thrive in this newly targeted segment, Qualcomm must ensure robust software compatibility and address any inherent challenges directly.

Sources: For more detailed information, check the complete news piece from CRN and additional insights from Wccftech.