Memory, not processors, remains Europe's supercomputing weakness, Bull CEO says
MU•Bull CEO Emmanuel Le Roux said Europe can source around 70% of supercomputer components locally, up from 20%-30% five years ago, but memory remains the biggest supply-chain gap. He said processors account for 10%-20% of a supercomputer's value and memory prices have risen sharply.
1. Memory remains a gap
Bull CEO Emmanuel Le Roux said the company can now source around 70% of the components in its European-built machines locally, including boards, interconnects, cooling systems and increasingly processors, compared with 20%-30% five years ago. He said memory is the last major component without a European supplier: “The problem is memory. We don't see anything coming.”
2. European supply efforts
Le Roux cited progress on European processors from SiPearl, in which Bull holds a stake, as well as Vsora and Openchip. He said processors account for 10%-20% of a supercomputer's value, while memory prices have risen sharply and European memory initiatives would take a long time to build. Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron produce over 90% of memory worldwide.
