In 2025, while GPU-powered AI advancements dominate public and investment attention, CPUs maintain a significant role in high-performance computing (HPC). Recent forecasts suggest a 17% annual growth in GPU and accelerator deployments through 2030. However, CPUs currently manage the majority—estimated at 80% to 90%—of HPC simulation tasks, according to Evan Burness, who oversees Microsoft Azure’s HPC and AI product teams.
Contrary to perceptions of obsolescence, these systems are experiencing notable advancements. A new generation of CPU technologies, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM), is driving significant performance improvements without necessitating expensive architectural overhauls. This suggests that CPUs remain crucial for cutting-edge scientific, engineering, and research workloads.
Further insights into this topic are available in the report linked above, which discusses the ongoing evolution of CPU technology within the HPC landscape. For those interested in exploring this subject further, a webcast titled “Powering HPC with next-generation CPUs” is also available for viewing.
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Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/30/1124505/designing-cpus-for-next-generation-supercomputing/