According to foreign media reports, NVIDIA and MediaTek are poised to unveil their collaboratively developed N1 series of Arm architecture processors at the 2025 Computex Taipei. This series will include two models: the high-performance N1X and the mainstream-positioned N1, both targeting the Windows PC market. This move could signify NVIDIA's significant expansion from its traditional GPU segment into the PC processor market, positioning it as a competitor against Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm within the Windows ecosystem.

Designed with desktops and laptops in mind, the N1 series integrates MediaTek's Arm CPUs with NVIDIA's Blackwell GPU technology, all aimed at delivering high-performance solutions for compact AI workstations and gaming devices. Rumor has it the N1X will boast up to 10 high-performance Cortex-X925 cores along with 10 energy-efficient Cortex-A725 cores, whereas the N1 is expected to feature a more streamlined configuration aimed at covering the low-end to mid-range markets. This positioning bridges the performance and pricing gap between Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X-series and AMD’s Ryzen APUs. Thanks to the Blackwell GPU, the N1 series is anticipated to deliver outstanding graphics processing capabilities, notably enhancing gaming performance and AI-accelerated tasks, potentially surpassing the integrated graphics offerings of AMD Radeon and Qualcomm Adreno.

To facilitate the mass production of the N1 series, MediaTek has already secured a significant amount of Flip Chip Ball Grid Array (FCBGA) packaging capacity anticipated for the end of 2024, focusing on chips intended primarily for PCs rather than mobile devices. Utilizing TSMC's 3nm process, these chips boast an exceptional performance-to-energy efficiency ratio, with AI computing powers projected at around 180 to 200 TOPS, vastly outperforming the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite's 45 TOPS, and meeting minimum requirements for Microsoft Copilot+ PCs. With these technical specifications, the N1 series is set to be highly competitive within the AI PC market, especially against the backdrop of rapid advancements in generative AI applications.

NVIDIA's partnership with MediaTek extends beyond mere technological collaboration to encompass strategic market efforts. Notably, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and MediaTek CEO Li-Hsing Tsai are scheduled for consecutive speeches at Computex on May 19 and 20, 2025. These presentations are expected to elaborate on the architecture, performance, and application scenarios of the N1 series. Major PC manufacturers including Lenovo, Dell, HP, and Asus have already expressed plans to adopt N1 series chips. The first wave of N1X-powered laptops is likely to debut in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the N1 model anticipated to hit the market in early 2026. Production targets currently envisage 3 million N1X chips being dispatched in Q4 2025, with a projected 13 million N1 chips for the entirety of 2026, underscoring the market's strong anticipation for this innovative product line.

However, the commercialization of the N1 series faces challenges. Ongoing technological development issues could delay retail availability until 2026, with exact timelines yet to be confirmed. Furthermore, the Windows-on-Arm ecosystem continues to grapple with software compatibility issues. While optimizations for Windows 11 and developer support for Arm architecture have significantly improved, propelled by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series, it still trails behind the mature x86 ecosystem. NVIDIA must leverage its expertise in GPUs and AI, alongside MediaTek’s proficiencies in mobile chip design and 5G technologies, to hasten Arm architecture’s adoption within the PC realm.

This new partnership builds upon the prior success of NVIDIA and MediaTek’s collaboration within the automotive chip sector. MediaTek has already incorporated NVIDIA technology into its Dimensity Auto platform, showcasing the synergy in chip design and production between the two companies. The introduction of the N1 series is poised not only to diversify chip choices in the Windows PC market but also to bolster Arm architecture’s integration into gaming laptops and handheld devices, promising consumers a more efficient and robust computing experience.

As Computex 2025 nears, detailed specifications and the performance attributes of the N1 series will capture industry attention. This joint effort by NVIDIA and MediaTek is set to invigorate the AI PC market and exert new competitive pressures on traditional x86 architecture providers.