Graphics cards have become one of the main categories of shortage amid the boom in artificial intelligence. Now a similar situation may be repeated with central processing units (CPUs), as AI infrastructure demand for CPUs skyrockets and manufacturers are already facing supply constraints.
Image source: Intel
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan warned that manufacturers may not be able to cope with the growing number of orders, and supply restrictions could last until 2028. According to him, the ratio of GPU and CPU in AI systems has changed: if previously there were eight graphics accelerators per central processor, now their number is almost equal. That is, now a typical combination looks like 1 GPU + 1 CPU. However, in some scenarios the CPU already requires even more. The reason is the industry’s transition from training models to using them, where much of the computing is related to query processing and various operations.
The need for central processors is especially increasing due to the proliferation of autonomous AI agents. They independently access tools, run programs, move data, and coordinate tasks. As Tan explained, GPUs are well suited for calculations related to model training, while CPUs are more effective at a number of inference tasks.
At the same time, the market prospects look impressive. Intel CFO David Zinsner expects industry shipments of server processors to grow more than 30% in 2026 and 2027. Tan himself admits that the server CPU market will increase fivefold in the future thanks to AI agents. However, Intel is already unable to fully satisfy the demand for some server processor models, and the cost of memory, according to the executive, has increased approximately sevenfold.
The situation is complicated by the limited availability of production components. Zinsner expects supply problems to continue through at least 2027. At the same time, Intel will have to compete with AMD and Arm processor manufacturers, who are also vying for orders from large cloud companies.
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