MediaTek ARM PC processor reportedly under development in partnership with NVIDIA for potential 2025 launch

The introduction of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite SoCs feels like the beginning of a new era for Windows PCs. OEMs from Microsoft to Dell are expected to unveil devices powered by the Snapdragon X chips this year. However, Qualcomm is not the only one vying for a slice of the PC market.

It now appears that MediaTek, Qualcomm’s biggest rival in the Android space, is also gearing up to release its own ARM-based chips for Windows developed in partnership with NVIDIA. The information comes to us courtesy of United Daily News which claims that MediaTek and NVIDIA are co-developing an AI PC processor based on the ARM architecture. 

MediaTek’s SoC is allegedly entering the verification phase in Q4 after design completion in Q3 2024. The company is seemingly employing TSMC to manufacture the processor on the 3 nm process, matching the Apple M4 SoC which debuted inside the latest iPad Pros (Available on Amazon).

Interestingly, MediaTek’s partnership with NVIDIA might cost users a pretty penny as each SoC is expected to cost as much as $300. This purported high price is certainly impacted by MediaTek’s decision to use the TSMC 3 nm process. TSMC reportedly charges $20,000 per wafer, a rate that is noticeably higher than older process nodes. For instance, Tom’s Hardware revealed back in January 2024 that the price for TSMC’s wafers has increased by 22% on average in a single year.

Finally, United Daily News suggests that MediaTek could announce the new ARM AI PC processors in June. The announcement could come at Computex 2024 where AMD is expected to unveil the Zen 5 CPUs.

The news of MediaTek jumping into consumer PCs is certainly welcome for users who have been wanting Windows counterparts to Apple M SoCs. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait too long to find out MediaTek’s plans, if the company has any, as June is only a few weeks away.