Tech giants Intel and Nvidia have announced a major strategic partnership to jointly create and release new products. As part of this new collaboration, Team Green (Nvidia) will make a significant $5 billion investment in Team Blue (Intel).
In a joint statement, the companies revealed the partnership will span two key sectors: enterprise-class AI products and consumer PCs. While the AI developments will be significant for the data center, the implications for consumer PCs are especially exciting for gamers and creators.
Intel x86 SoCs to Feature Nvidia RTX GPUs
The most significant news for consumers is the development of new, deeply integrated chips. Intel will manufacture and market x86 system-on-chips (SoCs) that integrate Nvidia RTX GPU chiplets.
The companies stated:
For personal computing, Intel will build and offer to the market x86 system-on-chips (SOCs) that integrate NVIDIA RTX GPU chiplets. These new x86 RTX SOCs will power a wide range of PCs that demand integration of world-class CPUs and GPUs.
What This Means for Laptops and Intel Arc
Laptops are the most obvious target for these new Intel-Nvidia SoCs, promising a new level of integrated graphics performance not previously seen in all-in-one chips.This move, however, raises questions about the future of Intel's own Arc graphics line. Key implications include:
- Future of Mobile Arc: The new Nvidia-powered SoCs could replace Intel's integrated Arc graphics, at least in mid-range to high-end laptops.
- Fate of Desktop Arc GPUs: The partnership with Nvidia leaves the future of Intel's discreet desktop Arc GPU lineup up in the air.
- Budget Laptops: It is still possible that Intel will continue developing its mobile Arc line for lower-spec, budget-friendly laptops that do not require high-end graphics processing power.
