---
id: open-questions
title: "Open Questions"
status: active
source_sections: "Aggregated from all context files"
related_topics: [gb10-superchip, memory-and-storage, connectivity, dgx-os-software, ai-frameworks, ai-workloads, multi-unit-stacking, physical-specs, setup-and-config, skus-and-pricing]
---

# Open Questions

Catalog of known unknowns, research gaps, and unresolved questions about the Dell Pro Max GB10.

## Hardware

### GB10 Superchip
- **Q:** What are the exact clock speeds for CPU and GPU dies under sustained load?
  - *Status:* Unknown. No official boost/base clocks published.
  - *Would resolve:* Performance prediction, thermal modeling
- **Q:** What is the detailed per-precision TFLOPS breakdown (FP4/FP8/FP16/FP32/FP64)?
  - *Status:* Only FP4 (1,000 TFLOPS) is officially published. Others are inferred.
  - *Would resolve:* Accurate workload performance estimation
- **Q:** What is the thermal throttling behavior?
  - *Status:* Unknown. Sustained vs. peak performance delta not documented.
  - *Would resolve:* Real-world performance expectations

### Memory
- **Q:** Is the LPDDR5X soldered or socketed?
  - *Status:* Almost certainly soldered (given LPDDR5X and form factor), but not confirmed.
  - *Would resolve:* Upgradeability
- **Q:** What is the memory channel configuration?
  - *Status:* Unknown. Number of channels not published.
  - *Would resolve:* Memory performance modeling

### Storage
- **Q:** Is the M.2 SSD user-replaceable?
  - *Status:* Unknown. Owner's manual may clarify.
  - *Would resolve:* Storage upgrade path
- **Q:** What are the exact sequential and random IOPS?
  - *Status:* Unknown. Drive model not publicly identified.
  - *Would resolve:* Storage performance expectations

## Software

### DGX OS
- **Q:** Can stock Ubuntu 24.04 ARM be installed instead of DGX OS?
  - *Status:* Likely possible but unsupported. Not documented.
  - *Would resolve:* OS flexibility
- **Q:** Full list of pre-installed NVIDIA packages and versions?
  - *Status:* Partially known. Full manifest not published.
  - *Would resolve:* Development environment baseline
- **Q:** Does DGX OS include Docker/container runtime by default?
  - *Status:* Unknown.
  - *Would resolve:* Container workflow setup
- **Q:** OTA update mechanism and cadence?
  - *Status:* Unknown.
  - *Would resolve:* Maintenance planning

### AI Frameworks
- **Q:** TensorFlow support status on ARM GB10?
  - *Status:* Unknown. Official vs. community builds unclear.
  - *Would resolve:* Framework selection for TF users
- **Q:** Full NGC catalog availability for GB10?
  - *Status:* Unknown. Which containers have ARM builds.
  - *Would resolve:* Software ecosystem breadth
- **Q:** vLLM or other inference server support on ARM Blackwell?
  - *Status:* Unknown.
  - *Would resolve:* Production inference deployment options
- **Q:** JAX support status?
  - *Status:* Unknown.
  - *Would resolve:* Framework selection for JAX users

## Networking / Multi-Unit

- **Q:** What cable/interconnect is required for multi-unit stacking?
  - *Status:* QSFP cables, but exact type/spec not documented.
  - *Would resolve:* Multi-unit setup purchasing
- **Q:** Software configuration steps for multi-unit mode?
  - *Status:* Not documented publicly.
  - *Would resolve:* Multi-unit deployment
- **Q:** Does stacking appear as a single logical device to frameworks?
  - *Status:* Unknown. May require explicit multi-node code.
  - *Would resolve:* Development complexity for stacked setups
- **Q:** Can more than 2 units be stacked?
  - *Status:* Only 2-unit configuration documented.
  - *Would resolve:* Maximum scaling potential
- **Q:** Can QSFP ports be used for general networking?
  - *Status:* Unknown. May be reserved for stacking.
  - *Would resolve:* Network architecture options

## Physical / Environmental

- **Q:** Noise levels under load?
  - *Status:* No dB measurements published.
  - *Would resolve:* Office/desk suitability
- **Q:** Operating temperature range?
  - *Status:* Unknown.
  - *Would resolve:* Deployment environment requirements
- **Q:** VESA mount compatibility?
  - *Status:* Unknown.
  - *Would resolve:* Mounting options
- **Q:** Cooling solution details (fan count, heatsink type)?
  - *Status:* Unknown.
  - *Would resolve:* Thermal management understanding

## Performance Benchmarks

- **Q:** Actual tokens/sec for common LLMs (Llama 3.3 70B, Mixtral, etc.)?
  - *Status:* No published benchmarks from Dell or independent reviewers yet.
  - *Would resolve:* Real-world inference performance expectations
- **Q:** Fine-tuning time estimates for common model sizes?
  - *Status:* Unknown.
  - *Would resolve:* Training workflow planning
- **Q:** Stable Diffusion / image generation performance?
  - *Status:* Unknown.
  - *Would resolve:* Non-LLM AI workload suitability

---

## Resolved Questions

*(Move questions here as they get answered, with date and resolution)*

| Date | Question | Resolution | Source |
|------|----------|------------|--------|
| —    | —        | —          | —      |