Nvidia has reportedly begun developing Arm-based processors compatible with Windows PCs in an effort to challenge Intel’s long-standing dominance of the PC processor market.
According to a report from Reuters, Nvidia has “quietly begun” designing Arm-based chips that could run Microsoft’s Windows operating system on both laptops and desktops. The new processors are expected to hit the market around 2025.
Nvidia is no stranger to Arm-based designs, having used the architecture extensively in its offerings for data centers. However, this would mark Nvidia’s first major foray into the consumer PC space with Arm.
The company originally announced plans to acquire Arm Holdings in 2020 for $40 billion, which would have given Nvidia control over the Arm architecture. That deal was ultimately blocked by regulators last year.
Arm-based processors are known for being more power-efficient than traditional x86 designs from Intel and AMD. This makes them well-suited for mobile devices, but increasingly they are becoming competitive for PCs as well.
Nvidia’s Arm-based Windows chips could offer lower power consumption, better performance-per-watt, and potentially lower costs compared to Intel’s processors. If Nvidia can deliver on performance, it would be a huge boon for laptops in particular.
This news also represents a major threat to Intel, which has dominated the Windows PC processor market for decades. The company has faced challenges as of late, including delays in rolling out new manufacturing technologies.
Nvidia will face competition from other companies also developing Arm-based Windows chips, notably Qualcomm and AMD. But Nvidia’s engineering resources and scale could give it an advantage in challenging Intel’s position.
Ultimately, more competition in the PC processor space thanks to Arm would likely be a big win for consumers. Nvidia’s reported plans to take on Intel is welcome news in a market that has been dominated by just two major players for years. With any luck, it could lead to more innovation and better options for PC buyers.
