MediaTek’s Ambitious Play: Challenging Qualcomm with NVIDIA’s AI Power

Last year, reports surfaced that MediaTek and NVIDIA were collaborating to develop Arm-based processors for Windows PCs, with the first product set to feature TSMC’s 2.5D packaging. The ultimate goal is to penetrate the high-end laptop market.

According to Notebookcheck, MediaTek aims to challenge Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series in the Windows PC arena by teaming up with GPU giant NVIDIA to capture a share of the AI PC market. It is rumored that the new chip will compete with Apple’s M4, with design completion expected by the third quarter of 2024, validation in the fourth quarter, and production using TSMC’s 3nm process, with a planned release in 2025.

The chip developed by MediaTek and NVIDIA is reportedly not inexpensive, with a rumored price tag of up to $300. This high price is likely related to the manufacturing process, as TSMC’s next-generation node charges as much as $20,000 per wafer, significantly higher than older nodes. MediaTek may unveil the Arm-based processor for AI PCs at Computex 2024, marking its entry into the Windows PC market.

Recently, Arm CEO Rene Haas mentioned in a conference call with financial analysts that within the next 12 to 36 months, multiple chip design companies will be providing solutions for Windows on Arm, bringing product diversity from various suppliers. This will offer end consumers a range of chips with different positions, prices, and user experiences.