Nvidia unveils its most affordable GenAI supercomputer

Nvidia has introduced its most cost-effective generative AI supercomputer, the Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit, priced at just $249 (approximately Rs 21,146). Despite its compact size, this AI accelerator delivers up to 67 trillion operations per second (TOPS), surpassing the performance of many AI PCs priced above $1,000.

Originally launched in 2023 for $499, the Jetson Orin Nano Super has now received a significant price cut, making it more accessible to students, developers, and AI enthusiasts worldwide. Along with the price reduction, a new software update has boosted its performance from 40 TOPS to 67 TOPS, further enhancing its appeal.

The device is already in high demand and has sold out in various regions, with shipping times ranging between four to five weeks. Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, expressed excitement about the device’s capabilities, noting that it can run advanced applications, including large language models, similar to Nvidia's high-end hardware solutions.

The Jetson Orin Nano Super is powered by an 8GB system-on-module (SoM) memory and features a graphics chip based on the Ampere architecture, along with a 6-core Arm CPU. It supports a wide range of AI models, including those used in robotics and Vision AI, and is compatible with Nvidia’s extensive AI software ecosystem. This makes it ideal for powering advanced robotics and various IoT devices.

While it lacks built-in storage, users can boot the system by downloading the operating system to a microSD card, similar to a Raspberry Pi. This affordable AI supercomputer is designed to bring cutting-edge technology to smaller-scale developers, who may not have access to expensive alternatives like the Nvidia HGX H100, which costs upwards of Rs 34 lakh.