Mediatek and Nvidia are collaborating on 3nm AI CPUs, according to a report from a leaker on Chinese social media site Weibo. IT Home today shared a report from user ‘Mobile Chip Expert’ claiming that the CPU will enter the tape-out phase of production this month, with mass production scheduled for late 2025.
We’ve been reporting on rumors of a potential partnership between MediaTek and Nvidia for the past few months. As always, take this new report with a grain of salt. Previous rumors about the PC chip partnership were that the two companies were developing an AI card processor. However, today’s report relates to Nvidia/MediaTek AI processor rumors that started in May.
MediaTek AI processors will be paired with Nvidia GPUs. The post also names Lenovo, Dell, HP, and Asus as potential customers looking to incorporate the processor into OEM hardware. The chip also has a rumored price tag of $300.
Today’s report oddly refers to the rumored chip only as an “AI PC” CPU, but both leaks about the partnership so far and MediaTek’s stable of products suggest it could be a mobile chip or SoC. This is surprising, as it indicates a high level of sexuality. MediaTek specializes in mobile products and typically has AMD as its hardware partner. AMD uses MediaTek’s Wi-Fi 6E solution in its mobile platforms, and MediaTek and AMD have also previously been connected through rumors of 5G notebooks.
It would not be surprising to see MediaTek/Nvidia chips move towards AI PC solutions only and away from mobile phone products. After the big waves and lessons learned from this year’s launch of Qualcomm Snapdragon One of the most notable issues reviewers had with the performance of Snapdragon X-powered computers was a lack of graphics strength, but Nvidia is quick to address that. Whether it’s Nvidia’s return to mobile graphics or another venture into laptop form factor AI PCs, Nvidia’s name recognition alone will go a long way toward boosting MediaTek chips.
The only publicly announced partnership between MediaTek and Nvidia is the Dimensity Auto Cockpit platform, an automotive SoC that licenses Nvidia’s graphics IP and Nvidia Drive OS. The chip aims to be a frontrunner in automotive chips by offering full support for infotainment platforms, including AAA gaming with RTX graphics and safety features such as HDR multi-camera support . So far, no US-based cars appear to be using this platform.
