NVIDIA has firmly established itself as a leader in the world of graphics cards and related technologies, focusing primarily on GPUs across a wide range of price points and performance levels.
However, recent rumors suggest that NVIDIA may be planning to venture into the desktop CPU market, a move that could significantly shake up the industry. According to insights from The Verge, this intriguing project might come to fruition sooner than expected. Here’s a closer look at the details.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang reveals new details about the development of a possible CPU
Rumors about NVIDIA developing its own CPU have been swirling for some time, and it appears those speculations are gaining traction. Reports hinted that the company might launch its first CPU in 2025, and during CES on January 6, 2025, NVIDIA unveiled Project Digits—a personal-use supercomputer powered by the GB10 Grace Blackwell chip, priced at around $3,000.
But that’s not all. On January 7, 2025, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang hinted at even more ambitious plans during discussions with analysts and investors. He referenced the potential development of a 20-core ARM-based desktop CPU but suggested that details would remain under wraps for now.
While Project Digits, co-developed with MediaTek, is not intended for mass-market consumption and runs Linux as its operating system, it signifies NVIDIA’s growing interest in expanding beyond GPUs. Meanwhile, MediaTek is pursuing its own initiatives, further emphasizing the collaborative nature of the project.
The idea of NVIDIA entering the consumer desktop CPU market isn’t new. As early as October 2023, rumors suggested the company was exploring this possibility. If true, it could position NVIDIA as a competitor to Qualcomm, which currently dominates the ARM-based CPU market for Windows PCs with its Snapdragon X chips, renowned for their performance and energy efficiency.
The momentum behind Windows on ARM surged in 2024, setting the stage for an even more exciting 2025. Should NVIDIA and other manufacturers commit to CPU development, it could revolutionize the ARM ecosystem and create new opportunities for innovation in the PC market.
