spark/context/open-questions.md

id	title	status	source_sections	related_topics
open-questions	Open Questions	active	Aggregated from all context files	[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

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Resolved Questions

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

Date	Question	Resolution	Source
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