Intel debuts GPU D-Series chips for AI inferencing

Intel's D-Series launch is the company's latest attempt to gain a greater foothold in the GPU market, where it has previously offered the Gaudi AI accelerator and GPU Flex Series cards. By choosing PCIe cards rather than slot-in server chips, Intel is positioning the D-Series as a form-factor alternative to Nvidia's Blackwell processors, which could make it easier for existing servers to adopt. The company is working with ASUS, HPE, Dell, Supermicro, and other partners to roll out D-Series systems, a sign it is relying on established server vendors to reach customers.

The launch comes as Intel's turnaround effort is getting a boost from the global AI build-out, which is driving demand for its CPUs. Those processors have become increasingly important for AI providers and data center builders with the advent of AI agents, because tasks agents perform—sorting through databases, launching apps, loading websites—run on CPUs. But Intel faces increasing competition in the CPU data center race from AMD, Arm-based CPUs, and Qualcomm, making its GPU push a parallel front in the broader AI infrastructure battle.