Intel Advanced Matrix Extensions or Intel AMX is a set of instructions added to the x86 instruction set architecture of selected Intel processors to accelerate matrix operations. It was first introduced in June 2020 and was first supported by server-oriented Intel Xeon processors based on the Sapphire Rapids architecture. Take note that matrix operations are commonly used in artificial intelligence and more specific machine learning workloads. Hence, with the addition of a dedicated set of instructions for handling these operations, the main purpose of Intel AMX is to accelerate AI and ML workloads in the central processing unit. This article lists and discusses the pros and cons or advantages and disadvantages of Intel Advanced Matrix Extensions
Pros of Intel AMX: Advantages, Features, and Applications
Intel AMX works through a tile-based architecture and two-dimensional registers called tiles. These tiles represent small blocks of data that can be processed by specialized accelerators called tile matrix multiply units. Nevertheless, because matrix operations or matrix multiplications are done in these titles, the entire set of instructions helps in handling some AI and ML workloads. The following are the specific advantages of Intel AMX and its features and applications:
1. Artificial Intelligence Training and Inference Applications
The newer generations of Intel Xeon Scalable processors starting from the fourth generation is that they can be used for AI workloads. This comes from the advantages of Intel AMX. This built-in accelerator that forms part of the CPU instruction set is designed for handling training and inferencing tasks involving lower precision data types such as INT8 and BF16.
2. Matrix Operations on a General-Purpose Intel Processor
Most artificial intelligence algorithms use matrix operations or matrix multiplications. Hence, because Intel AMX is designed for accelerating these operations, it equips the CPU with native capabilities for handling AI workloads. This eliminates the need for a separate AI accelerator, minimizes communication bottlenecks, and brings forth cost-effective benefits.
3. Expansive Development-Side and End-Use AI Applications
A processor equipped with Intel Advanced Matrix Extensions can be used for training AI models and inferencing requirements. Furthermore, because it is effective for machine learning and deep learning models based on matrix operations, it can be used for natural language processing applications such as large language and computer vision tasks like image recognition.
Cons of Intel AMX: Disadvantages, Issues, and Limitations
It is important to note that Intel AMX is not a separate AI accelerator or a coprocessor for handling AI workloads. It is different from Intel AI Boost which is a dedicated neural processing unit. This set of instructions still represents an AI accelerator that is part of the CPU itself. It is more similar to Intel Deep Learning Boost but it still differs because it focuses on matrix operations. Below are the specific disadvantages of Intel AMX and its issues and limitations:
1. Limited Capabilities Due To Focus on Matrix Operations
One of the main disadvantages of Intel AMX is that it is designed for matrix operations. This means that it does not offer significant benefits in handling algorithms and models that have little basis in matrix operations. Furthermore, for other algorithms and models based on other operations, it is useless. Other types of AI accelerators will provide better performance gains.
2. Dependent on Intel Hardware and Software Technologies
This set of instructions is also dependent on the hardware and software technologies of Intel. The current software ecosystem is still developing. Developers are required to adapt certain codes, libraries, and frameworks to develop AI applications. It also ties these developers to the Intel Xeon platform. This restricts the freedom to switch to another processor architecture.
3. Limited Potentials Compared to Dedicated AI Accelerators
The limitations of Intel AMX also translate to its limited capabilities when compared to other dedicated AI accelerators. Graphics processors and field-programmable gate arrays are more commonly used in developing AI algorithms and training AI models. A dedicated AI accelerator can also handle a broader range of AI workloads and has a wider set of technologies.
Takeaway: Advantages and Disadvantages of Intel AMX
The addition of Intel Advanced Matrix Extensions or Intel AMX in Intel Xeon Scalable processors is a welcome development in advancing the field of artificial intelligence and popularizing further its applications. The main advantage of this set of instructions is that it equips a general-purpose processor with capabilities for handling AI workloads that are dependent on matrix operations. However, considering this main application, it is also the main disadvantage of Intel AMX. It is limited to handling matrix-related operations and would not work well in non-matrix operations. The Intel Xeon platform is also not popular across research laboratories and companies involved in developing AI algorithms and training AI models. Even end-use applications in personal computing have also leaned toward using a dedicated AI accelerator.
