NVIDIA Enters AI PC Market with Arm CPU in 2025-2026

NVIDIA is set to enter the consumer PC ARM chip market in 2025-2026.

For a long time, the PC market has been dominated by Intel and AMD’s x86 processors. Known for its graphics cards, NVIDIA plans to launch a PC processor platform based on ARM architecture in September 2025, with commercial availability expected by March 2026. This initiative includes a proprietary platform and a co-designed platform with MediaTek, which is anticipated to feature NVIDIA’s own CPU and GPU designs targeting the high-end market.

This is not NVIDIA’s first attempt in this area. Back in 2011, Microsoft launched the Windows on ARM platform, running Windows RT on processors from NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments. NVIDIA’s expertise and dominance in the AI server market and the discrete PC GPU market, along with its experience in Grace CPUs and Tegra application processors, provide a strong competitive edge as it moves into the client PC market.

Currently, the only ARM-based processors in the PC market are from Qualcomm and Apple, with Apple’s M-series chips limited to Mac devices, leaving Qualcomm as the only ARM supplier in the Windows PC space.

However, Apple’s shift from Intel processors to its M-series chips shows that ARM architecture is viable in the PC market. In this context, it’s unlikely that Qualcomm will remain the sole provider, and other companies are keen to enter.

Supply chain experts note that what NVIDIA will ultimately deliver remains to be seen. Competing in the mainstream PC market will require designing a high-end processor with integrated graphics, similar to offerings from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm. Given NVIDIA’s expertise with Tegra, this type of system-on-chip (SoC) is not new territory for the company. Such an SoC could, in certain areas, compete with MediaTek’s Windows PC Dimensity processors.

NVIDIA’s ARM-based processors come with significant advantages, forming a solid foundation to challenge Intel and AMD. In graphics processing, NVIDIA has unrivaled technical strengths. For gamers and graphic designers, powerful graphics capabilities are essential, and NVIDIA’s GPU technology has long led the industry. When combined with an ARM CPU, this will undoubtedly deliver a superior graphics experience for users.

Furthermore, NVIDIA’s deep expertise in artificial intelligence greatly enhances the competitiveness of its ARM-based processors. As AI technology continues to evolve, many PC users now expect chips with strong AI processing capabilities. Leveraging its extensive experience and advanced technology from the AI server market, NVIDIA’s ARM-based processors are expected to deliver exceptional AI performance to meet user demand.

The report highlights that “this move by the AI chip giant is part of Microsoft’s efforts to help chip companies build ARM-based processors for Windows PCs.” According to preliminary Q3 data from IDC, Microsoft’s plan targets Apple, whose market share has nearly doubled within three years since introducing ARM-based chips for its Mac computers. A source noted that Microsoft executives have observed the efficiency of Apple’s ARM-based chips, including AI processing, and hope to achieve similar performance.

The timing is also notable, coinciding with the anticipated end of Qualcomm’s exclusive agreement for Windows on ARM devices. This opens the door for new players, and competition in the ARM-based Windows PC space may intensify.

NVIDIA’s strategy may involve two potential paths: launching a more mainstream chip with integrated graphics to compete with AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm, or introducing a high-performance, gaming-oriented CPU alongside a discrete GPU. The latter would target the traditional x86 gaming market. To achieve this, NVIDIA would need to ensure modern games run smoothly on the platform, a task that could be facilitated by its existing relationships with game developers.

In May, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang hinted at “revisiting AI PCs in 2025” when asked about the topic. MediaTek is reportedly collaborating with NVIDIA on a 3nm SoC, with Dell also likely to participate.

It is speculated that this processor will compete with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite platform, which supports a range of ARM-based Windows laptops from various hardware manufacturers. Qualcomm developed the Snapdragon X Elite, securing an exclusive license for ARM Windows processors. However, amid a recent legal dispute with Qualcomm, ARM has rescinded all licenses for Snapdragon chips. ARM has also stated that more manufacturers (possibly including NVIDIA) will enter the ARM PC market.

Selling consumer-grade PC SoCs marks a shift for NVIDIA, though it is not entirely new territory. The company already offers ARM-based data center chips and previously released a series of mobile processors, one of which powers the Nintendo Switch.

Beyond hardware, software remains one of the biggest questions surrounding ARM PCs. Apple successfully encouraged major app developers to adapt their applications for ARM via Apple Silicon to improve performance and energy efficiency, but it’s unclear if Windows will gain enough traction at the instruction set level to achieve similar results.

Moreover, consumer interest in AI PCs remains low. Consumers have yet to fully embrace AI applications, with some even fearing that this emerging sector may be heading for a bubble-like collapse akin to the dot-com bust.

Related:

1. Arm: Collaborating for a Greener, More Sustainable Tomorrow
2. Arm Plans 300% Price Increase & Chip Development

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