NVIDIA’s leaked APU could change gaming laptop design forever. Here’s why.

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Contrary to what some speculated, NVIDIA did not reveal a new processor designed for consumer laptops at Computex 2025; however, this does not necessarily imply that the project has been abandoned.

From YouTube’s “Moore’s Law is Dead” channel, a recent revelation showcases an estimated design of NVIDIA’s APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), intended for integration in gaming laptops. The image provided offers a glimpse into what appears to be this potential product.

Based on the current data, it seems that the power consumption might fall within the range of 80 watts to 120 watts. According to our sources, MLID anticipates NVIDIA to launch this product sometime between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026.

The source of the leak appears to be a trusted NVIDIA employee involved in testing APU units, lending some degree of legitimacy to the shared information.

The labeled “Eng Sample” features eight peripheral units encircling the central processor. It’s plausible that these are high-speed LPDDR5x memory modules similar to AMD’s approach with Strix Halo APUs, where the chip leverages swift attached memory to enhance performance.

However, unlike AMD’s processors that adhere to the x86 architecture, it’s speculated that NVIDIA’s upcoming APU may employ a CPU based on ARM technology from MediaTek, along with a brand-new, self-developed integrated graphics processor.

It’s been suggested that an integrated GPU might deliver comparable performance to a laptop’s standalone RTX 4070 GPU, based on earlier leaks shared by Moore’s Law is Dead.

Considering that the standalone discrete card can consume power up to 115W, this innovation might significantly enhance gaming laptops. The absence of additional heat generated by a separate GPU and reduced need for additional cooling mechanisms for more space are notable benefits.

In 2025, it’s likely that battery performance will see a significant boost, which is something even top-tier gaming laptops have struggled with so far.

NVIDIA may not be the pioneer in this area, but they are exceptionally skilled at it. Their GPU technology, such as DLSS 4, is almost reminiscent of magical advancements.

A powerful combination of an ARM processor and an embedded NVIDIA graphics card, complete with AI enhancement features for upscaling and frame generation, is undeniably exciting. I can’t wait to discover the capabilities of its latest APU.

What is an APU, and why is NVIDIA suddenly so interested?

Let’s take a step back and cover some of these terms.

Primarily, an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), coined by AMD, refers to a single chip that integrates both a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).

You may find it comparable to a System-on-Chip (SoC), and that’s understandable. But, do remember that an SoC encompasses more elements than simply the CPU and GPU; it also includes various controllers, networking components, and other essential circuitry.

Lately, I’ve noticed that systems have started incorporating a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for handling local AI duties. For instance, the Snapdragon X chips used in Copilot+ PCs can be seen as a prime example of a System-on-Chip (SoC).

It wasn’t entirely unexpected when it was revealed that NVIDIA has been developing an APU, as whispers about this project had started circulating since 2023. Back then, Reuters unveiled the news that NVIDIA and AMD were both secretly designing ARM processors for Windows PCs.

Initially, there was an expectation that their launch would occur around 2025, which resulted in a decline in Intel’s stock value upon the announcement.

Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 will be fueled by NVIDIA’s Tegra T239, a versatile chip integrating an ARM processor and an Ampere graphics unit.

NVIDIA is also putting effort into the DGX Spark, an AI supercomputer system that utilizes its GB10 Grace Blackwell chip. MSI recently unveiled a fresh EdgeXpert MS-C931 desktop PC, which was presented at Computex 2025 and is built around the DGX Spark platform.

It’s evident that Team Green intends to move beyond their GPU dominance and aim for a greater influence in the Windows laptop market.

We won’t get to see the new chip from NVIDIA until they formally unveil it, but I’m confident that it’s going to bring about significant changes in the realm of gaming laptops once it’s released.

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2025-05-29 22:39