MediaTek, NVIDIA Jointly to Develop AI PC Processor

Industry speculation suggests that MediaTek, a prominent manufacturer of mobile chips, is collaborating with NVIDIA, a leading AI chip manufacturer, to develop an AI PC processor based on Arm architecture. The anticipated completion of the design (tape out) is set for the third quarter of this year, with validation expected in the fourth quarter and a potential retail price of up to $300.

This collaboration follows their joint announcement at COMPUTEX 2023 in Taipei last May, where both companies unveiled plans for cooperation in the automotive chip sector. MediaTek will leverage its advanced chip interconnect technology to develop System-on-Chip (SoC) processors integrating NVIDIA's GPUs for next-generation intelligent vehicles. These processors will harness NVIDIA's graphical and AI computing capabilities, along with their software tools such as DRIVE OS, DRIVE IX, CUDA, and TensorRT.

Industry insiders are optimistic about the MediaTek-NVIDIA partnership, expecting it to bring fresh momentum to the AI PC market. With the energy-efficient ARM architecture chips, another industry boom is anticipated.

NVIDIA and MediaTek have already collaborated in the automotive sector, integrating chips and AI to provide complete intelligent cockpit solutions for software-defined cars, tapping into the vast opportunities in the smart automotive market.

Expanding their collaboration to AI PC processors, both companies aim to leverage their respective strengths. Combining NVIDIA's powerful gaming graphics processors and AI GPUs with MediaTek's ARM architecture design capabilities, they seek to expedite processor development and achieve highly efficient AI PC designs.

The AI PC processors developed through this collaboration will be based on ARM architecture, produced using TSMC's 3-nanometer process. Design finalization is expected in the third quarter, with validation in the fourth quarter and mass production scheduled for the first half of next year.

Industry analysts predict a rapid increase in AI PC penetration starting in 2025, with ARM architecture AI PC processors driving growth due to their low power consumption. Penetration rates are estimated to surge from 8% in 2024 to 30% and 50% in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

MediaTek is actively expanding its AI-related product lines, including AI processors (APUs) embedded within smartphone System-on-Chips (SoCs) and even Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) targeting the network market for AI servers. They are also intensifying efforts in APU research and development.