Buying H200 in China requires full payment. There are difficulties behind NVIDIA’s overlord clause.

NVIDIA's H200 graphics card has been lifted from the export ban to China. Although its performance is lagging behind the top B200 and B300, its performance far exceeds that of the previous special edition H200 graphics card, so there is still a lot of domestic demand. The H200 single chip is priced at about 190,000 yuan, and the 8-card cabinet is priced at 1.5 million yuan. However, the performance density is about 6 times higher than the previous H20 graphics card, and the price has only increased by 30-40%. The price/performance ratio is very high.

However, there are still many restrictions on domestic manufacturers purchasing H200.It was previously reported that NVIDIA requires domestic customers to pay the full amount in advance when ordering H200 chips., and no cancellation, refund or configuration change is allowed after the order is placed.

These requirements can be said to be overbearing terms, with many unilateral restrictions, but there is a reason why NVIDIA requires it. The previous ban on H20 graphics cards caused them to accrue inventory losses of US$5.5 billion and lose a lot of money.

Later, although the ban on H20 was also lifted, its performance lagged behind and domestic alternative chips became available. As a result, H20 had almost no sales. This castrated version of the graphics card had no market in other countries, so this wave of business was considered a loss.

Regarding this matter, NVIDIA CEO Huang Jenxun also had his own explanation during CES. He said that NVIDIA understands everything through orders.As long as orders come in, it means they have the ability to place orders.

Judging from this statement, NVIDIA's full payment policy this time is actually a customer screening. Those who have the ability and willingness to place full payment orders show that there is real demand, and they will apply for domestic licenses on their own. This is a real demand for NVIDIA.

If the deposit is still a small amount as before, then once there are changes, some manufacturers may not even want the order, but NVIDIA's H200 chip will be in their hands again. After all, the main shipments in the US market have turned to B200, B300 and newer Rubin series.

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It is rumored that NVIDIA has strict requirements for domestic customers: H200 graphics cards must be purchased in full without refund or change.