Saturday, October 25, 2025

The "Mag 7" Are The "Mag 7" For A Reason -- October 25, 2025

Locator: 49516MAG7. 

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There's no way around it.

There's a reason the "Mag 7" are the "Mag 7."

The newest wrinkle: TPUs.

Jargon / chips:

  • CPUs: general-use chips that "run" the device (desktop computer, laptop, tablet, wearable).
  • GPUs: optimized for specific functions, but not AI; working alongside CPUs
  • NPUs: optimized for specific functions, specifically AI for "edge" devices.
  • TPUs: optimized for AI in the cloud. 

For investors:

  • CPUs are indispensable but this is not where the investment action is
  • GPUs is where the action is -- Nvidia; AMD has pivoted from emphasis on CPUs to emphasis on GPUs;
  • NPUs: pretty much an "edge device" chip; android vs Apple
  • TPUs: a "cloud device" chip;  

TPUs: NPUs and NPUs are both involved in AI, but NPUs are "edge" chips; TPUs are "cloud" chips

TPUs will gradually replace GPUs for AI use in the cloud but the transition will take time

I track TPUs here

AI prompt

I assume Google designs, markets, sells their TPUs, but who actually does the manufacturing -- the fab?

Answer: link here.  

There's a reason the "Mag 7" are the "Mag 7."

Read this answer again (same answer as at the link above):
 


There's a reason the "Mag 7" are the "Mag 7":

  • why TSMC and not Samsung or Intel? Answered above.
  • TPUs: will eventually replace GPUs for AI in the cloud.  
    • only company that matters right now when it comes to TPUs: Google
    • Every generation of TPU has been fabbed at TSMC.

My only question .... and it's another dig at BRK-B: where were Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett these past ten years?

And, again, each of the Mag 7 has their own niche. 

Jim Cramer has a segment "am I diversified?" which I think is incredibly corny. But perhaps not.

I could argue that if one has a portfolio of five stocks and the five are in the "Mag 7" one is still diversified.  

Break / Break -- new subject but closely related:

AI prompt

Investors need to ask this question and/or understand the answer?
AI prompt

Have large data centers (LDCs) become "the cloud" for all practical purposes?

Answer: link here.