Nvidia invests $5 billion in Intel to co‑develop custom PC and data‑center chips

Nvidia is putting $5 billion into Intel common stock as part of a new partnership that will see the two companies jointly create multiple generations of custom system‑on‑chip products for both PCs and data‑center workloads. Intel will build x86 SoCs that integrate Nvidia RTX GPU chiplets, while the firms will also combine their interconnect technologies such as Nvidia’s NVLink. The collaboration is intended to strengthen both companies against rivals like AMD and to broaden Nvidia’s AI and accelerated‑computing reach. The announcement coincided with a U.S. government stake in Intel and a SoftBank investment, sending Intel’s shares sharply higher.

Deal Overview

Nvidia announced a $5 billion investment in Intel’s common stock, marking a deepening of a partnership that will focus on the joint development of multiple generations of custom chips for both personal computers and data‑center environments. The agreement positions Nvidia and Intel to combine their core strengths—Nvidia’s graphics and AI expertise with Intel’s x86 CPU platform—to deliver integrated system‑on‑chip (SoC) solutions.

Technical Collaboration

Under the deal, Intel will design x86‑based SoCs that incorporate Nvidia RTX GPU chiplets, creating tightly coupled processors that can power a "wide range" of PCs. This builds on an existing relationship that already supplies Nvidia‑powered GPUs to gaming laptops, but the new SoC approach represents a more integrated architecture. In addition, the two companies will work together on Nvidia’s NVLink communications link, a technology currently used in data‑center deployments to link GPUs. Intel will also produce Nvidia‑custom x86 CPUs that will be integrated into Nvidia’s AI infrastructure platforms, expanding the reach of Nvidia’s accelerated‑computing stack across the broad x86 ecosystem.

Market Implications

The collaboration is positioned as a strategic move to better compete with AMD, which has been gaining market share with its high‑performance desktop CPUs and a variety of AI‑focused laptop processors. By combining Intel’s CPU leadership with Nvidia’s GPU and AI capabilities, the partnership aims to deliver differentiated products that could appeal to both consumer and enterprise customers. The deal also raises questions about Intel’s Arc graphics business, as the company now leans on Nvidia’s GPU expertise for its forthcoming SoC offerings.

Broader Investment Context

At the same time as Nvidia’s investment, the U.S. government secured an approximate 10 percent stake in Intel, valued at $8.9 billion, while SoftBank announced a $2 billion investment in the chipmaker. These concurrent capital infusions underscore the heightened interest in strengthening the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem amid global supply‑chain challenges.

Stock Reaction

Following the announcement, Intel’s stock surged, climbing about 28 percent in pre‑market trading, reflecting investor optimism about the strategic partnership and the additional financial backing from both the government and private investors.

Future Outlook

Beyond the Intel collaboration, Nvidia is reportedly working with MediaTek on an accelerated processing unit that blends an Arm‑based CPU with Nvidia’s Blackwell GPU architecture. Rumors also suggest an upcoming Nvidia‑branded Arm‑based gaming laptop, potentially launching later this year in partnership with Alienware. Together, these initiatives illustrate Nvidia’s broader strategy to embed its GPU and AI technologies across a variety of processor architectures.