NVIDIA’s N1x Arm Superchip: A Game-Changer for Windows Laptops in 2026

NVIDIA is poised to shake up the laptop market with its N1x Arm-based system-on-chip (SoC), a high-performance processor designed for Windows devices. Recently spotted in a Geekbench listing, the N1x is set to challenge industry giants like Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm, signaling NVIDIA’s bold entry into the PC processor arena. With a debut expected at Computex 2025 and a potential launch in late 2025 or 2026, the N1x promises to redefine performance for Windows-on-Arm laptops, blending cutting-edge AI capabilities with NVIDIA’s renowned graphics prowess.

A New Player in the Arm Race

NVIDIA’s N1x, developed in collaboration with MediaTek, is part of a broader push into the Arm-based PC market, which has gained momentum with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series and Apple’s M-series chips. Unlike traditional x86 processors from Intel and AMD, Arm-based chips offer superior power efficiency, making them ideal for laptops where battery life is a priority. NVIDIA, known for its GeForce RTX GPUs and AI-driven technologies, is leveraging its expertise to create a superchip that combines an Arm CPU with its Blackwell GPU architecture, aiming to deliver unmatched performance for gaming, content creation, and AI workloads.

Rumors of NVIDIA’s Arm ambitions surfaced in late 2023, with data miners uncovering references to the N1x and a mid-tier N1 chip in Lenovo job listings. These leaks suggested NVIDIA was working on a high-end SoC for laptops, potentially debuting in devices like the Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1 16-inch (2025). The N1x is expected to be NVIDIA’s flagship model, with the N1 targeting more mainstream devices. Both chips are reportedly built on TSMC’s 3nm process, ensuring top-tier efficiency and performance.

Geekbench Leak: A Glimpse of Power

A recent Geekbench 6.4 listing has provided the first concrete evidence of the N1x’s capabilities. The prototype, featuring a 20-core CPU (10 Cortex-X925 and 10 Cortex-A725 cores), scored 3,096 in single-core and 18,837 in multi-core tests, with a base clock of 2.81 GHz. These results place the N1x in direct competition with AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (Strix Halo) and close to Apple’s 16-core M4 Max, though the latter still leads in raw performance. As a prototype, the N1x’s scores are likely to improve with optimization, hinting at its potential to rival top-tier laptop chips.

The N1x’s GPU, based on NVIDIA’s Blackwell architecture, is rumored to perform on par with an RTX 4070 mobile GPU, offering significant graphics horsepower for gaming and creative tasks. Additionally, the chip is expected to deliver 180-200 AI TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second), making it a powerhouse for AI-driven applications like local large language model (LLM) processing and real-time content generation. This aligns with NVIDIA’s focus on AI, as seen in its Project DIGITS AI supercomputer, which uses a similar GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip.

Why NVIDIA’s Entry Matters

NVIDIA’s move into the PC processor market is significant for several reasons. First, it intensifies competition in the Windows-on-Arm ecosystem, which has struggled with software compatibility issues. NVIDIA is reportedly working closely with Microsoft and game developers to ensure robust Arm compatibility from launch, addressing challenges faced by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series, such as emulation-related performance hits in gaming. This could make Windows-on-Arm laptops more appealing to mainstream users and gamers alike.

Second, NVIDIA’s partnership with MediaTek leverages the latter’s expertise in mobile chip design, allowing NVIDIA to focus on integrating its Blackwell GPU and AI technologies. The collaboration has already borne fruit in the GB10 chip, used in compact AI workstations like NVIDIA’s DGX Spark, and the N1x is expected to bring similar innovations to consumer laptops. Industry reports suggest major OEMs like Dell, ASUS, Lenovo, and HP are developing N1x-powered devices, with Alienware laptops potentially leading the charge in gaming applications.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its promise, the N1x faces hurdles. Early benchmarks suggest it lags behind Apple’s M4 Max, and unresolved integration issues with endpoint devices could delay mass shipments until the second half of 2026. Additionally, NVIDIA’s reliance on standard Arm cores, rather than custom designs like Qualcomm’s Oryon or Apple’s M-series, may limit its ability to differentiate in raw CPU performance. However, NVIDIA’s strength lies in its GPU and AI capabilities, which could set the N1x apart in graphics-intensive and AI-driven workflows.

The N1x also enters a crowded market, with Intel and AMD still dominating x86 laptops and Qualcomm pushing Arm-based alternatives. Posts on X reflect excitement about NVIDIA’s entry, with some users predicting it could disrupt the laptop market, particularly for gaming and AI applications. Others caution that pricing and software optimization will be critical to its success.

What’s Next for NVIDIA and Arm?

NVIDIA’s N1x is expected to debut formally at Computex 2025, with keynotes from NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and MediaTek CEO Rick Tsai likely to reveal more details about its architecture and performance. Taiwanese reports indicate NVIDIA plans to ship 3 million N1x units in Q4 2025, with 13 million N1 units in 2026, signaling a major production ramp-up. If successful, the N1x could expand beyond laptops into desktops and even handheld gaming devices, challenging AMD’s dominance in the latter space.

For consumers, the N1x represents an exciting new option in the laptop market, promising longer battery life, high-end graphics, and AI capabilities that could transform how we work and play. For NVIDIA, it’s a chance to extend its AI and graphics leadership into a new domain, potentially reshaping the PC industry. As the launch approaches, all eyes will be on NVIDIA to deliver a superchip that lives up to the hype.