The hardware industry was taken by surprise by an unprecedented announcement: Nvidia and Intel have joined forces to develop processors that combine Intel’s CPUs with Nvidia’s RTX-class GPU cores. This collaboration marks a direct challenge to AMD, which has long held a competitive advantage in the integrated CPU-GPU market with its APU line.
The initiative, internally referred to as “SoCs x86 RTX,” aims to merge Intel’s x86 processors with Nvidia’s cutting-edge RTX graphics architecture. The resulting chips are expected to target PCs and consumer systems that demand world-class CPU and GPU integration.
Intel CPUs with Nvidia RTX Graphics
In practice, this means that future Intel Core processors could ship with high-performance Nvidia graphics cores, bringing a new level of capability to systems that lack dedicated GPUs.
Despite the collaboration, Intel has clarified that this move will not replace its existing plans. In response to questions from WCCFTech, the company confirmed that its dedicated GPU lineup, including the Intel Arc series, will continue to be developed and sold. The Nvidia partnership is described as complementary to Intel’s roadmap, rather than a replacement.
Expanding Beyond Consumer CPUs
The agreement also goes beyond traditional PC hardware. Intel will manufacture x86 processors tailored for Nvidia’s AI platforms, effectively blending Intel’s silicon expertise with Nvidia’s dominance in accelerated computing. These CPUs will help power Nvidia’s AI ecosystem, offering additional performance and efficiency to customers in enterprise and data center markets.
As part of the deal, Nvidia has invested a massive $5 billion in Intel shares, signaling a long-term strategic commitment between the two giants.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang highlighted the transformative nature of the partnership:
“AI is boosting a new industrial revolution and reinventing all layers of computing—from silicon to systems and software. This historical collaboration joins Nvidia’s AI and accelerated computing stack with Intel’s CPUs and the vast x86 ecosystem, establishing the foundations for the next age of computing.”
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the central role of Intel’s architecture:
“Our x86 architecture has been fundamental to modern computing for decades. We thank Jensen and the Nvidia team for their confidence, and we look forward to the work ahead.”
A New Era in the CPU-GPU Race
This alliance represents a major strategic shift in the semiconductor landscape. For years, AMD’s APUs have offered the strongest integrated graphics experience. Now, with Intel and Nvidia working together, the market could see a significant shakeup—particularly in mainstream and entry-level PCs, where dedicated GPUs are less common.
If successful, the SoCs’ x86 RTX project could redefine what consumers expect from integrated hardware, blurring the line between CPU and GPU performance in a single package.
