Graphics and AI giant NVIDIA is reportedly planning to enter the central processing unit (CPU) market. According to Reuters, which cited two unnamed individuals familiar with the matter, the company has quietly begun manufacturing PC processors that would run Microsoft’s Windows operating system and use technology from ARM. These are also likely to be utilised in laptops, though a desktop-based variant is not unlikely.
Interestingly, the sources also revealed that NVIDIA’s new pursuit is actually part of Microsoft’s efforts to help chip companies build ARM-based CPUs for Windows PCs, with the aim of going head on with Apple. One of the reasons is likely due to the iPhone maker’s increased market share which, according to research firm IDC, has doubled in the three years since releasing its own ARM-based chips for its Mac computers.
NVIDIA itself is no stranger in the development of ARM-based processors, though most of what it has developed are mostly designed for data centres. Regardless, with its experience, the company’s potential entry to the CPU market is plausible, but it remains to be seen whether the company can successfully compete against veterans such as Intel and long-time rival AMD. And speaking of which, sources also told Reuters that the latter too is planning to develop PC chips based on ARM’s technology, though no further information was provided.
It is believed that both NVIDIA or AMD’s ARM-based PC chips are expected to enter the market as soon as 2025. It is also worth noting that the suggested timeframe falls after Microsoft’s exclusivity arrangement with Qualcomm to develop Windows-compatible ARM chips expires, indicating a potential three-way faceoff between the three hardware giants.
(Source: Reuters)
