NVIDIA suggests entering the desktop CPU market, challenging Intel and AMD through collaboration with MediaTek.

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, following the announcement of new products at CES 2025, made comments hinting at a full entry into the desktop CPU market. Collaboration with MediaTek is increasing the potential for new competition in the PC processor market.

NVIDIA's CEO Jensen Huang mentioned the desktop CPU business under development in collaboration with MediaTek during an investor presentation on the 7th. This statement was made shortly after the joint announcement of the AI-enabled PC platform called "Project DIGITS" by both companies.
Huang stated, "Clearly we have a plan," but avoided making a definitive statement by saying, "We will inform you at a later date" regarding specific details. However, he explained about the collaboration with MediaTek, saying, "They can provide us with solutions, and they can supply the market themselves. This is a mutually beneficial relationship."

NVIDIA has already announced the "Project DIGITS" which features a CPU developed in collaboration with MediaTek, with a price set at $3,000. This product adopts the latest "Blackwell" AI Chip and uses a Linux-based operating system.
At present, Project DIGITS is not a product for general consumers, but targets AI developers. Huang also mentions the potential for bridging the gap between the Linux environment and Windows environment by leveraging Microsoft's Windows Subsystem for Linux.

According to sources, NVIDIA's new desktop CPU may adopt the Arm architecture and could be manufactured using TSMC's 3nm process. This could bring a new choice to the dominant x86 processor market currently held by Intel and AMD.
Of particular note is the performance and power efficiency of Arm-based processors demonstrated by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite. With the entry of NVIDIA and MediaTek, further intensification of competition in the desktop CPU market is expected.

According to multiple sources, NVIDIA's new desktop CPU could be announced in the first half of 2025 and is expected to be introduced to the market by the end of 2025 if development progresses as planned. However, official confirmation of these timelines has not been obtained.