Sources: Nvidia has begun designing ARM CPUs for Windows PCs, and AMD also plans to build ARM chips; source: Nvidia and AMD could start selling them in 2025

Nvidia (NVDA.O) dominates the market for artificial intelligence computing chips. Now it is coming after Intel's longtime stronghold of personal computers.

Reuters 2023-10-24

Context & Ripple Effects

Nvidia had already tied its software strategy to Arm through a CUDA-on-Arm collaboration, giving a prospective Windows processor effort a clearer software lineage than a stand-alone CPU project. The report extends that trajectory from AI and high-performance computing toward the PC platform.

Later coverage frames this as an early step in a broader Windows-on-Arm contest: competition among Intel, AMD and Qualcomm in Windows laptops intensified, while Nvidia’s eventual OEM plans moved toward systems with Dell, Lenovo and other manufacturers.

First-order effects

The reported designs would put Nvidia and AMD on a path to challenge Intel’s entrenched role in Windows PCs with Arm-based processors, while expanding each company’s addressable client-computing strategy.
For PC makers and Microsoft’s Windows ecosystem, the prospect of additional Arm silicon suppliers creates a potential alternative to relying on incumbent x86 processors and Qualcomm’s existing Windows-on-Arm position.

Second-order effects

Intel faces greater pressure to differentiate its PC chips on performance, power efficiency and AI capabilities as more vendors pursue Arm-based Windows designs.
OEMs gain leverage to evaluate more processor roadmaps and product configurations; Nvidia’s later work with laptop makers on an Arm-based SoC illustrates how a chip design effort can pull manufacturers into the platform transition.

Third-order effects

If multiple suppliers establish viable Windows-on-Arm products, the PC market could shift from an x86-centered supply structure toward competition among CPU architectures, with software compatibility and integrated AI capabilities becoming key gates to adoption.
The strategic prize is increasingly the integrated client stack—CPU, graphics, AI acceleration and software—not the processor architecture alone; the pace of that shift remains dependent on OEM launches and Windows application support.

The trend: This is part of the widening contest to make AI-capable, power-efficient client computing a multi-architecture market rather than an x86-only one.

Discussion

@stevesi Steven Sinofsky on x
We chose Nvidia ARM to build the original Surface in 2012 with good reasons! The challenge today is software. ARM chips will offer little advantage w/o new OS API and apps.
@stevesi Steven Sinofsky on x
Every time more Windows on ARM pops up, it is key to realize that benefits of ARM (battery life, security, always connected) are marginally properties of the chips. In order to achieve, the legacy Win32 API can't be running or the most active ISVs will be virus/malware authors.
@ericjhonsa Eric Jhonsa on x
$ARM (up 6%) has been overbid on this report about $NVDA and $AMD developing Arm PC CPUs. Even if Arm CPUs grabbed 15-20% of the Windows PC market (hardly a given), it'd be a tiny % of Arm's global units. https://www.streetinsider.com/ ... [image]
@krewell Kevin Krewell on x
Well, this is an unexpected development. I expected Mediatek would be the next Windows-on-Arm chip supplier.
@joshdwalrath Josh Walrath on x
Some 15 years ago I thought next gen consoles would all move to Arm to allow a common software development stack that could scale from handheld to full blown console. That obviously didn't come to pass, but neat to see Arm moving into new areas soon.
@ericjhonsa Eric Jhonsa on x
Worth keeping in mind a few other things: 1) For now, there are big ecosystem issues that are keeping Windows on Arm from being widely adopted by enterprises, gamers, etc. This can change, but it'll take time if it does (very different situation from Macs, where $AAPL could make.…
@chernandburn @chernandburn on x
MICROSOFT HAS ENCOURAGED CHIP FIRMS TO FOCUS ON POWERING NEW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FEATURES IN WINDOWS - SOURCES
@stevesi Steven Sinofsky on x
@KevinCTofel A. Windows has made the promise that it runs everything (Android, Win32, Win64, Linux, etc.) That's new. B. It is the Win32 API that has problems that could be solved by using ARM with a different API. C. Chromebooks are fantastic but in a corporate environment there…
@stevemoser Steve Moser on x
I guess Nvidia couldn't use those Transmeta patents they bought to make an x86 processor so instead they will go the ARM route.
@chernandburn @chernandburn on x
Nvidia has quietly begun designing CPUs based on Arm's architecture, as part of broad effort by Microsoft to take market share from Apple. AMD is working on designing Arm-based chips. tip @Techmeme https://www.reuters.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
Nvidia and AMD plan to launch Arm-based PC chips as soon as 2025. Reuters reports that Microsoft is expanding its Windows on Arm efforts in a bid to rival Apple's own silicon. Full details here 👉 https://www.theverge.com/...
r/pcgaming r on reddit
Exclusive: Nvidia to make Arm-based PC chips in major new challenge to Intel
r/wallstreetbets r on reddit
Exclusive: Nvidia to make Arm-based PC chips in major new challenge to Intel
r/hardware r on reddit
Exclusive: Nvidia to make Arm-based PC chips in major new challenge to Intel
r/nvidia r on reddit
Exclusive: Nvidia to make Arm-based PC chips in major new challenge to Intel
r/AMD_Stock r on reddit
Exclusive: Nvidia to make Arm-based PC chips in major new challenge to Intel
r/NVDA_Stock r on reddit
Exclusive: Nvidia to make Arm-based PC chips in major new challenge to Intel

Chronicles