novelraw Chapter 860
Chapter 860
"Dell PowerEdge XE9680, the highest configuration without the GPU, I need three hundred units."
This kind of server, without considering the GPU, costs over 1.6 million RMB each at its highest configuration. The market price fluctuates, but in short, it takes more than one million to get one unit.
"I need to ask around first, give me one night."
Fernando: "It's the first time doing such business, touching my blind spot, but to me, there's nothing I can't do."
You must know, Fernando usually deals in businesses that look like you'd be shot countless times, but Xu Lin asking him to help with servers clearly puzzled him.
Xu Lin: "Alright."
Fernando: "Eventually, these GPUs and servers, where are they going to end up?"
Xu Lin is planning to set up a server cluster; three hundred servers are enough to form a cluster.
As for where they'll be placed, that can't be random.
Because when training artificial intelligence at Xu Lin's large scale, it requires massive electricity, starting from millions of kWh, when a regular household uses just a few thousand kWh a year.
Therefore, Xu Lin needs sufficient electricity support and can't mess around; he needs enough electricity supply.
Europe is certainly out of the question, as electricity prices here are ridiculously high; household electricity is over three RMB per kWh.
So, he needs to find a country where electricity is relatively cheap.
Actually, domestic options are quite suitable.
But Xu Lin's goods entering the country would incur high tariffs.
Sneak them in?
Better forget it; underestimating domestic security.
Northern Russia claims to deliver arms globally, there's no place on the map they can't reach, but this map excludes Huaxia.
Xu Lin needs to be more flexible.
Regarding his private island, it's still under construction, unusable, he'll have to go elsewhere.
Moreover, Xu Lin doesn't want to do illegal business domestically. Abroad, he can resort to other means.
Xu Lin thought: "Send them to Dubai!"
Dubai's electricity rates are more favorable; industrial electricity, over ten thousand kWh, is only seven RMB per kWh.
Five million kWh calculated turns out to be several million.
The price is very cheap for Xu Lin, though the key is whether he can buy it.
This electricity demand is quite exaggerated.
Then there are venue rental and other issues, all needing arrangements, and sometimes it's not just about money, it requires connections.
A strong dragon can't overpower a local serpent, especially since Xu Lin isn't a strong dragon.
Connections seem very important.
Fernando: "Dubai, I happen to know people there, your goods can enter with a reduced tariff."
"The people you know seem to have significant influence."
"With someone, things are easier, haha..."
"If I want to buy five million kWh of electricity in Dubai, can it be done?"
An outsider, buying so much electricity, what for?
At this point, one must know people; otherwise, even the government hurdle can't be bypassed.
Five million kWh, calculated for five thousand households, is half a year's energy for a small town.
Such electricity demand, even Ultraman would be extinguished.
"Theoretically, yes."
"So I'll need to pay Mr. Fernando more?"
"Yes."
"Name your price for these deals, Mr. Fernando."
"Your business presents some difficulty, but it's not too much, at the time I'll get you the lowest possible price, plus I want to become friends with you, just give me thirty million USD as a brokerage fee."
Three times seven equals twenty-one, over two hundred million RMB.
Acceptable.
Without someone like him helping, Xu Lin would sneak around on his own, incurring extra costs, far more than over two hundred million. Even the tariff alone is a massive issue, along with various arrangements along the way and numerous expenses, these costs add up to astronomical figures.
Doing big business and spending big money is normal; there's no major endeavor achieved without spending a lot.
Xu Lin: "Deal."
Fernando: "Pleasure doing business."
Xu Lin stayed at the ball until past two in the morning.
Just casually ate and drank.
He left after two; there was a romantic encounter tonight, but Xu Lin wasn't interested.
The next morning, Fernando sent news that the servers Xu Lin wanted could be secured, originally priced at over 1.69 million RMB each, he could get new ones for one million.
Xu Lin mused, isn't this practically the factory price?
A cut of almost seven hundred thousand.
One million per unit, Xu Lin wants three hundred units, that's three hundred million.
Prompting Xu Lin to consider buying a few more hundred units.
Right now he has just over eight hundred million lying in his account.
This money is from his recent games and software, post-tax credited.
Sufficient for Xu Lin to splurge, yet he can't spend recklessly.
Forthcoming expenses await.
Xu Lin met with Fernando at noon.
Fernando: "Your servers can be sorted out from North America the day after tomorrow, and the day after that they can be exported. I also had someone collect your goods from the Los Angeles address you provided, which can be exported tonight."
Xu Lin: "I also want to buy 1000 units of H100 specification GPUs; what's the price?"
He has 500 units there in Los Angeles. Adding 1000 units, it's ample for some initial training.
This time Xu Lin is just preparing models, not formally training AI, just laying the groundwork. Future expenses will be exorbitant.
"Give me some time."
This inquiry was quite swift; Fernando's information network is impressive.
"1000 units, it's no big batch. They can be secured new on the black market; public market ranges between twenty-five to forty thousand USD each, while on the black market I can get them down to twenty-three thousand USD each. 1000 units, that's 23 million USD. No brokerage fee for you this time, just add 23 million USD straight in."