RISC-V is trying to launch an open-hardware revolution | Upscaled

For more background, check out our Apple and ARM video.

RISC-V is a processor architecture and instruction set developed at UC Berkeley. It's attracted huge interest from everyone from startups to tech giants because it's entirely free and open source. Most current processors come with license agreements and are proprietary intellectual property, but anyone can manufacture a RISC-V chip, or design their own new processor. Big companies like Western Digital are already announcing a switch to RISC-V, and others like Google and Nvidia have partnered with them.

There's a lot of ways this project could fail, but it also has the potential to make custom processor design available to a lot of people. You probably won't be getting a RISC-V PC anytime soon, and chip makers like Intel or Apple probably aren't about to switch to RISC-V but expect these chips to start showing up in all kinds of devices very soon.

For our sources check out this doc

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[MoMo-uluk]

This was a surprisingly balanced video on RISC V. You discussed the potential benefits and limitations of its development. It’s also good to know you’ve contacted the academics, who created the instruction set, and asked their opinion on the matter. Kudos to you guys 👏

[whereismycrewyo]

So RISC-V is basically the Linux of chips. Neat 😀

[carlocarnevali]

This RISC-V really needs to take off. I'm sick of monopoly.

[pandupujo]

This upscaled series is amazing. The amount of information is better than some college courses

[kurosua]

I can’t imagine managing a project of this complexity, while doing research, writing grants, mentoring grad students, and teaching undergrads.

[SyphistPrime]

Also the biggest thing about this is that there's no royalties to use some custom development environment. My friend programs in robotics, and it can cost thousands of dollars per person to get a license for the development environment.

[vejymonsta]

Dude, Risc-V FPGAs are here. That means you can program an FPGA with open source tools as CPU with open source architecture. This is basically the final step towards a fully open source hardware design. No IP cores required.

[markerichannelly]

Now that nVidia is buying ARM we need RISC-V to become the preeminent mobile µarch

[aladdin]

"Just don't expect your RISC-V PC to arrive anytime soon."
Well actually some days ago the first RISC-V Mini ITX Mainboard went public. Hopefully RISC-V development will increase even much more and faster and better.
Amin ya Rabb

[MMuraseofSandvich]

I've taken a course (two courses?) taught by Dr. Patterson. He's a fantastic teacher and really loves computing.

[firefly]

Youtube just recommended me this video out of the blue and I'm amazed. The amount and quality of information and the clear exposition are top class. Thank you!

[danielberry]

This series is great, hope it keeps up

[MartijnterHaar]

Excellent video. It's even more important for non-US countries now that the American company Nvidia bought ARM. Nvidia is great at engineering, but also very into expensive and restrictive IP licenses.

[tomwaller]

It is such a shame that Acorn and the UK computer lead of the late 80s is never credited for ARM or Acorn Risc Machine as it was when I was a Scottish Acorn dealer selling Risc PC's in the 90s.

[StephenOrion]

This dude, can make a whole new business out of his knowledge and speaking skills even without engadget. Bro, take the leap. You're very underrated. Linus didn't even know half as you when he started.

[Settiis]

Amazing, open source is exactly what is needed to make revolutionary jumps in different work fields.

[chubbymoth]

Good lecture on the topic. RISC-V will mainly prosper to prevent trade ban issues regarding IP. Companies have seen what happened to Huawei and will want to prevent that happening to them. Besides that, RISC-V is the cheapest possible solution, which in the long run is always a winner.

[chrominox]

Ah yes, another solid episode. Great job Chris!

[ajaymanoj]

Some people find these videos as useless and but for them who are thinking of starting something new business or innovative projects this video is helps a lot. Thank you for making this video. 👍

[meamzcs]

RISC-V is already used a lot in embedded systems where before all kinds of proprietary ISAs were used.