Prices for Nvidia’s B300 AI servers in China have surged to around 7 million yuan ($1 million) due to strong demand and tightening US export controls, according to industry sources. The increase, nearly double the US price, reflects a growing scarcity of advanced AI computing hardware as crackdowns on chip smuggling and regulatory restrictions limit supply. The B300 servers, which are among the most powerful systems used for AI inference tasks, are highly sought after by Chinese technology companies developing large-scale AI models. However, concerns over US sanctions have led some firms to avoid holding Nvidia hardware directly, further tightening availability in the market. As supply constraints intensify, alternative access methods such as short-term rentals have emerged, with monthly costs reaching as high as 190,000 yuan. Analysts say the price surge highlights both the global competition for AI computing power and the strategic importance of advanced chips in the development of artificial intelligence systems.
Read more here
