Bolt Graphics Powers On First Zeus GPU Test Chip, Targeting 2028 Volume Production

Bolt Graphics has announced that it has successfully powered on the first silicon test chip for its Zeus GPU project, though volume production is not expected until 2028. According to the company, the 12nm test chip manufactured by TSMC ran without issues.

Test Chip Specifications and Architecture

The initial test chip measures 6mm² and draws 1.4 watts of power, a significant decrease from the 35 watts consumed by the FPGA previously used for prototyping. The architecture centers around dedicated hardware designed for electromagnetic simulation, intended to assist in designing radar sensors and camera lenses.

CEO and founder Darwesh Singh stated to HPCwire that the chip successfully executes a complex hardware-accelerated physics algorithm. While Bolt reported that the test chip exceeded internal estimates, independent performance benchmarks have not been published.

Future Production and Hardware Design

The final Zeus GPU intended for release will be a separate chip built on TSMC's N5P process node. Bolt selected this process to avoid competing for wafer supplies utilized by other modern chipmakers.

Key architectural details include:

• Processor Cores: Built around RISC-V open-standard instruction set cores.
• Path-Tracing: Features Bolt's proprietary path-tracing hardware.
• Memory Expansion: PCIe cards will combine soldered LPDDR5X memory with DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, supporting expansion up to 384GB.

Market Plans and Funding

When Bolt initially announced Zeus, it reported performance claims including significantly higher path-tracing throughput compared to existing market alternatives. These figures remain untested by independent evaluators.

Bolt initially targets studios, engineers, and scientists, with later expansions planned for the gaming and artificial intelligence markets. Reuters reported that Bolt was seeking to raise approximately $100 million at a $700 million valuation. Additionally, Bolt reported significant sign-ups for its early access program, though specific customer identities have not been publicly disclosed.

Practical Implications and Verification

Because the Zeus GPU is years away from commercial availability and lacks independent testing, prospective enterprise users should treat performance projections with caution. Observers can verify official updates and product roadmap announcements directly through Bolt Graphics' corporate communications and press releases.