CoreWeave proves Nvidia's aging AI GPUs from 2020 can generate profit nine years after deployment, signs A100 contracts into 2029 — power constraints and legacy infrastructure keep old GPUs profitable - Tom's Hardware

CoreWeave has signed a ten-year contract for Nvidia A100 GPUs extending into 2029, proving that the 2020-era chip remains commercially viable nine years after deployment. This highlights a key trend i... Read original →

The long-term contract between CoreWeave and Nvidia's A100 underscores a fundamental shift in the AI compute market: legacy GPUs remain commercially viable, driven by data center infrastructure constraints. Technologically, A100s continue to dominate due to their power efficiency and compatibility, while newer chips like GB200 and GB300 face deployment hurdles from cooling and power demands. From a compliance standpoint, global semiconductor supply chain pressures amplify reliance on existing nodes, creating a 'technological lock-in' dynamic. Competitively, Nvidia may deepen ecosystem control through software and leasing, while rivals explore low-power alternatives. Over the next 12–24 months, the AI infrastructure landscape will increasingly favor long-tail hardware utilization, with extended lifecycles and slower turnover, signaling a strategic pivot from rapid innovation to sustained operations and optimized asset use.