NVIDIA Delays N1X SoC Launch to Q1 2026: Strategic Timing for Next-Gen AI Chip Release on Upcoming Windows Platform with Anticipated Revisions

NVIDIA’s entry into the Windows on Arm (WoA) market has encountered some challenges, with the company postponing the launch of its next-generation N1X system-on-chip (SoC) to the first quarter of 2026.

NVIDIA’s N1X SoCs Deferred to Q1 2026: Analyzing the Factors

The N1X, NVIDIA’s inaugural WoA SoC, is a collaborative creation with Mediatek. It represents the company’s first foray into Enterprise and Consumer markets, specifically targeting the emerging “AI PC” industry.

During Computex 2025, NVIDIA, along with various partners, showcased several devices including its own DGX Spark. Major manufacturers such as ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, Lenovo, and Dell are also preparing their iterations of this technology. Despite some initial hands-on experiences with these PCs, the official launch date has shifted from the second half of 2025 to Q1 2026.

According to DigiTimes, several factors have contributed to this delay. Primarily, the development of Microsoft’s next-generation Windows platform, which was expected to launch in tandem with the N1X, has faced significant setbacks. The forthcoming Windows OS update, aimed at enhancing AI functionality and improving the WoA ecosystem, may not be ready for several more quarters.

Report: Nvidia and MediaTek delay AI PC launch to 2026 due to Microsoft OS hurdles and market headwinds. MediaTek and Nvidia have postponed the launch of their highly anticipated AI PC platform to the first quarter of 2026, supply chain sources say, citing a combination of delays… pic.twitter.com/LnJByCGnJo

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Additionally, the rate of adoption for WoA platforms remains a concern. While Qualcomm has indicated their laptops are moving substantial inventory, actual consumer demand appears to be waning. Despite the ongoing emphasis on the “AI PC”narrative, many consumers are hesitant to invest in these platforms, and traditional x86 systems from AMD and Intel continue to dominate the market.

NVIDIA is also reportedly conducting evaluations of new revisions for its N1X and N1 SoCs. These chips will utilize TSMC’s advanced N3B process technology, featuring a combination of Grace (Arm) CPU and Blackwell GPU architectures. The N1X designation is specifically aimed at the consumer market, while the internal naming for these chips is GB10, particularly used in the DGX Spark family. The revisions undergoing assessment are expected to enhance design and optimization, ensuring readiness for a successful product launch.

When examining the specifications, the NVIDIA GB10 Superchip shares many characteristics with the anticipated N1X SoC. Notably, it contains a 20-core Arm CPU based on the Grace architecture, a Blackwell GPU capable of delivering up to 1 PetaFlops of FP4 AI compute, and support for up to 128 GB of LPDDR5X memory alongside advanced input/output technologies.

NVIDIA N1X performance scores: 3096 single-core, 18837 multi-core on Geekbench for Linux AArch64. — Image Source: Geekbench 6

The N1X chip has demonstrated impressive performance metrics, recently appearing on Geekbench 6 with significant scores: 3096 for single-core performance and 18, 837 for multi-thread tests, clocked at 2.81 GHz. Samples of the GB10 SoC have even reached frequencies of 3.9 GHz.

For context, AMD’s Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 chip—featuring 16 cores and 32 threads, with a clock speed exceeding 5 GHz at 120W—delivers single-core scores between 3000-3100 and multi-core scores ranging from 19000-21000. Thus, even in its preliminary state, the N1X exhibits promising performance, and further design revisions may lead to even greater capabilities.

The NVIDIA N1 series will consist of multiple chips, with the N1X aimed at the Enterprise/Commercial sector and the N1C targeted towards consumers. There may also be an entry-level version for niche markets such as handheld devices. Initial expectations suggested an AI TOPs output ranging from 180 to 200; however, the final specifications following design adjustments remain uncertain.

These upcoming chips will be pivotal players in the competitive landscape, going head-to-head with AMD’s Ryzen AI MAX, Apple’s M4, and Intel’s AX series offerings in the future. As we approach Q1 2026, more detailed announcements are anticipated at CES 2026.

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