One of the difficulties in processor simulation is finding workloads that are based on real applications. The gem5 simulator, combined with SPEC CPU 2017, has recently helped to highlight complex areas of processor design related to moving data more efficiently.

In the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), enhancing the accuracy and computational efficiency of large models remains a critical challenge. As of 2024, there are over 100 commercial large language models worldwide, with OpenAI’s ChatGPT boasting more than 500 million users. The swift development of these models is driving significant advances in AI capabilities.

I’m extremely excited that SPEC has announced the release of the SPECworkstation 4.0 benchmark, a major update to SPEC’s comprehensive tool designed to measure all key aspects of workstation performance. This significant upgrade from version 3.1 incorporates cutting-edge features to keep pace with the latest workstation hardware and the evolving demands of professional applications, including the increasing reliance on AI and machine learning (ML).

The first edition of the EG Newsletter is out, giving us a regular opportunity to update the community on everythign happening with SPEC’s Embedded Group.

An IT architect designing a virtualization-focused data center faces a variety of crucial choices.

We are delighted to share insights and highlights from the recently concluded 15th annual ACM/SPEC International Conference on Performance Engineering (ICPE) 2024, held May 7-11th in the historic and vibrant city of London. ICPE has been the flagship conference in the area of performance engineering over the years and has a tradition of bringing together both academic scholars and industrial practitioners in discussing the recent advances in the area.