Nvidia and AMD Plan Arm-Based CPUs for Windows PCs, Potential 2025 Release

According to reports, Nvidia and AMD are planning to launch Arm‑based CPUs for Windows‑based PCs, with Reuters indicating that the earliest these companies could have PC chips ready is 2025.

So far, Microsoft has partnered exclusively with Qualcomm to develop an Arm‑based version of Windows 11, and Reuters’ story appears just before Qualcomm’s next major Snapdragon release, which may power Samsung’s upcoming flagship phone. Microsoft executives, including Windows and Devices Vice President Pavan Davuluri, are scheduled to attend Qualcomm’s launch event.

Microsoft’s first Surface tablet, the Surface RT, used Nvidia’s Arm‑based Tegra processor, but despite efforts from Lenovo, Asus, Samsung, and Dell to promote Arm‑based Windows devices, Windows RT failed to gain traction. Since then, we have not seen Nvidia‑based Arm devices running Windows, as Microsoft’s close collaboration with Qualcomm has shifted to a custom processor for the Surface Pro line.

AMD and Nvidia may join Qualcomm in developing Arm‑based Windows devices, increasing pressure on Intel to provide chips that can compete with Apple’s in‑house silicon. Intel‑based laptops have struggled to match the battery life and performance of Apple’s M1 and M2 chips, and the Meteor Lake CPU is slated for a December launch to challenge Apple again.

There are also rumors that Microsoft is developing its own Arm‑based server chip, potentially for Surface devices. While we have not yet seen this materialize, Microsoft and Qualcomm have co‑designed the Arm‑based SQ1 processor for the Surface Pro X and SQ2 variants. AMD is also working with Microsoft to create a custom Ryzen processor for the Surface Laptop 3 and is reportedly collaborating on an AI chip.