According to market news, NVIDIA is collaborating with MediaTek to develop an accelerated processing unit (APU) specifically for gaming laptops. This APU, which integrates the central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), and neural network processor (NPU), is anticipated to be unveiled as early as the fourth quarter of 2025 or early 2026. Featuring a single-chip design, it includes NVIDIA's latest Blackwell architecture GPU core, while MediaTek is tasked with developing CPUs based on the Arm architecture. This initiative aims to revolutionize the traditional design model of separate CPU and GPU in gaming laptops.

Industry channels have released photos of engineering samples of this APU, which are surrounded by eight LPDDR5X memory modules, suggesting support for high-bandwidth data transfers and a high level of integration. The design exhibits similarities to the GB10 chip previously utilized by NVIDIA in AI supercomputing endeavors. The APU sports a thermal design power consumption (TDP) ranging from 65W to 120W. Performance tests indicate that the 120W version matches the performance of gaming laptops equipped with RTX 4070 graphics cards, whereas the 65W variant offers nearly equivalent performance with an outstanding energy efficiency ratio.

Distinct from conventional gaming notebooks that depend on separate CPU and GPU architectures, this APU minimizes inter-component latency and enhances data processing efficiency with its highly integrated single-chip solution. Industry insiders suggest that the design concept resembles Apple's M-series chips but is more specialized in gaming performance. Moreover, the APU is expected to support the Windows on Arm platform, ensuring that mainstream games operate smoothly under the Arm architecture, thanks to NVIDIA's extensive experience in game development.

NVIDIA partnered with MediaTek to leverage its expertise in Arm architecture processor design and mobile device chips. MediaTek is in charge of developing the CPU component, which, combined with its proficiency in low-power design, aims to significantly boost the overall energy efficiency of the APU. The chipset is manufactured employing TSMC's 3-nanometer process, with production costs likely around $300 per chip.

This groundbreaking APU will first debut in laptops from Dell's high-end gaming brand, Alienware, which is renowned for its high performance and distinctive design. Incorporating the new APU is expected to result in thinner and lighter designs with extended battery life, while preserving a superior gaming experience. Looking ahead, other major manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, and Asus are also expected to adopt this innovative technology.

The gaming laptop market is fiercely competitive, with industry giants like Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm unveiling high-performance mobile processors. AMD's Strix Halo APUs feature robust RDNA 3.5 graphics cores, whereas Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series emphasizes the Windows on Arm ecosystem. With its Blackwell architecture GPUs and effective NPUs, NVIDIA's APUs are poised to lead in AI acceleration and graphics processing, especially in gaming environments supporting RTX technology. Additionally, Microsoft has recently enhanced game compatibility of Windows on Arm to support AVX and AVX2 instruction sets, facilitating software support for the deployment of NVIDIA's APUs.

Market analysts predict that this chip will drive the gaming laptop industry towards more compact, lighter, and efficient designs, potentially redefining the hardware architecture of mobile gaming devices. With NVIDIA's prowess in GPU technology and MediaTek's profound expertise within the Arm ecosystem, this APU is anticipated to become a key milestone in the hardware sector by 2025.