Helios Is AMD’s First AI System To Rival Nvidia Vera Rubin — We Got An Exclusive, First Look

AMD is one of the best performing chip stocks of 2026, following a decade-long comeback in data center chips. Now, it’s making its biggest competitive move against Nvidia yet. AMD’s first rack-scale system for AI, Helios, is shipping later this year - and it’s the world’s first competitor to Nvidia’s Grace Blackwell and Vera Rubin systems. Now, Microsoft has signed up to use Helios in its data centers, joining other customers Meta, OpenAI and Oracle. But with a price tag of at least $5 million, analysts estimate Helios will cost at least $1 million more than Nvidia Vera Rubin. CNBC got an exclusive first look inside the 7,000 pound behemoth, and sat down with AMD data center and AI leads to ask how its first-generation AI system can compete with Nvidia - and what sets it apart. Chapters: 2:28 Microsoft, Meta, OpenAI, Oracle 5:16 Proving grounds 8:30 Catching up to Nvidia 12:38 Cost, power, constraints Produced and Shot by: Katie Tarasov Edited by: Evan Lee Miller Camera by: Andrew Evers Senior Director of Video: Jeniece Pettitt Animation: Jason Reginato, Emily Park, Alisa Stern Additional Camera: Jordan Smith Additional Footage: AMD, Nvidia, Getty Images » Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC » Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more. Want to get ahead at work? Then you need to learn how to make effective small talk. In CNBC’s new online course, How To Talk To People At Work, expert instructors teach you how to use everyday conversation to gain visibility, build meaningful relationships and advance your career. Sign up now: https://cnb.cx/4sGlSkh Connect with CNBC News Online Get the latest news: https://www.cnbc.com/ Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC Follow CNBC News on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBC Follow CNBC on Threads: https://cnb.cx/threads Follow CNBC News on X: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBC Follow CNBC on WhatsApp: https://cnb.cx/WhatsAppCNBC #CNBC Helios Is AMD’s First AI System To Rival Nvidia Vera Rubin — We Got An Exclusive, First Look