Key facts
- Nvidia is launching its RTX Spark platform for AI workloads and Windows on Arm PCs.
- The RTX Spark aims to enable lighter laptops with lower thermal design power (TDP).
- Goldman Sachs reiterated a Buy rating on Nvidia with a $285 price target.
- Intel claims its Arc G3 Extreme chip is over 40% faster than AMD's Z2 Extreme.
- Spirit AI's model surpassed Nvidia's on the RoboArena benchmark.
- Nvidia's Spectrum-X silicon photonics Ethernet technology is entering full production.
- Zotac unveiled prototype liquid-cooled RTX 5080 graphics cards.
- Noctua is launching its first All-In-One (AIO) liquid coolers.
- Qualcomm's Snapdragon C system-on-chip for budget laptops was shown at Computex.
- Intel released new mobile processors lacking integrated graphics.
Nvidia is introducing its RTX Spark platform, a 'superchip' designed to combine AI processing and graphics for Windows on Arm PCs. This new chipset is expected to debut in premium laptops and mini-desktops later this year, featuring a unified-memory architecture and Blackwell GPU technology. The RTX Spark aims to enable lighter laptop designs with lower thermal design power (TDP), with Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra targeting a 110W TDP, reducing the need for extensive cooling solutions. Furthermore, laptops equipped with the RTX Spark have demonstrated the capability to run intensive games like Alan Wake 2 and PRAGMATA, indicating strong potential for future ARM-based gaming hardware, though frame rates may benefit from Frame Generation. Goldman Sachs has reiterated a Buy rating on Nvidia, setting a $285 price target and highlighting the RTX Spark and the upcoming Vera Rubin platform as positive catalysts expected to drive faster revenue growth than previous generations.
In parallel, Intel is releasing performance benchmarks for its Arc G3 Extreme chip, intended for gaming handhelds. Intel claims this chip is over 40% faster and twice as battery-efficient as AMD's Z2 Extreme, sharing architecture with the Core Ultra Series 3 'Panther Lake'. Meanwhile, Chinese startup Spirit AI announced its Spirit v1.6 model achieved a top score of 1,924 on the RoboArena benchmark, surpassing Nvidia's Cosmos3-Nano-Policy model, which had previously held the top spot. Nvidia's Spectrum-X silicon photonics Ethernet technology has entered full production, utilizing co-packaged optics to deliver five times greater network energy efficiency compared to conventional transceivers.
Hardware manufacturers are also unveiling new products. Zotac celebrated its 20th anniversary by showcasing a gold-themed RTX 5070 Ti SOLID SFF OC Edition, prototype liquid-cooled RTX 5080 graphics cards, and what it claims is the world's smallest PC housing a desktop-grade RTX 5080. Noctua is launching its first All-In-One (AIO) liquid coolers, the NL-LC1 series, in 240mm, 320mm, and 420mm sizes, featuring Asetek pumps and Noctua fans.
At Computex, Bank of America analysts anticipate Nvidia, Arm, and Marvell to be key headliners. Qualcomm's new Snapdragon C system-on-chip for budget laptops was displayed in an Acer showcase, marking the first public showing of a Snapdragon C-powered laptop. Acer also launched a new line of Iconia tablets for creative professionals. Separately, Intel has released two new mobile processors, the Core 7 230H and Core 5 205H, which notably lack integrated graphics. Nvidia's older RTX 3060 12GB graphics card has also reappeared in China priced around $325, offering more VRAM than the anticipated RTX 5060 at a competitive price point.