MediaTek and NVIDIA Reportedly Co-Developing ARM-based AI Chip, Snapdragon X Elite Competitor

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite is set to face some serious competition in the ARM-based AI chipset space. According to reports, MediaTek and NVIDIA have joined forces to co-develop a new system-on-chip (SoC) that aims to rival Qualcomm’s offering.

Here are the key details:

Design and Process:
- The design of this unnamed chipset is expected to be finalized in the third quarter of this year.
- It will be mass-produced using TSMC’s 3nm process, which is cutting-edge technology.
- The lithography and packaging technologies could put it in direct competition with Apple’s M4 chip.
- However, the price tag is rumored to be around $300 per unit, reflecting the cost of advanced nodes and manufacturing.
AI PC Segment:
- With the AI PC segment projected to grow significantly by 2027, both companies see this as a strategic opportunity.
- MediaTek has already received praise for its Dimensity 9300 chipset, showcasing its chip-making prowess.
- By teaming up with NVIDIA, we might witness an SoC that excels not only in AI but also in graphics performance.
Timeline:
- Design verification is expected in the fourth quarter of this year.
- Mass production is slated to begin in the first half of 2025.
CoWoS Packaging:
- Financial analyst Dan Nystedt suggests that TSMC will use its CoWoS (Chip-on-wafer-on-substrate) packaging for this joint SoC.
- However, this detail isn’t confirmed in the official report.

In summary, the collaboration between MediaTek and NVIDIA promises an exciting new player in the AI chipset arena. Stay tuned for further updates as this project develops.