Speculation Arises over Nvidia APU's Equal Performance with Leading Mid-Tier GPU: Could High-End Gaming Handhelds See Long-Awaited Power Boost?
Fresh Take:
Hype is high for Nvidia's rumored 120W APU, but will it live up to the hype? If reports are true, this APU, potentially developed in partnership with MediaTek, could pack a punch rivaling that of an RTX 4070 gaming laptop. But all that glitters isn't gold...
UDN, a Taiwanese publication, revealed that this APU will reportedly launch in early 2026 and find its way into gaming laptops. But really, who's buying a gaming laptop for an ARM-based chip? Personally, I could see this chip making a splash in a handheld gaming PC. After all, Nvidia's already been dipping its toes into handheld waters with the Nintendo Switch 2.
But there's more to Nvidia's APU than just power. The Blackwell architecture this APU is built on means you'll get access to DLSS 4's Multi-Frame Generation. Unfortunately, it's also ARM-based. And that's where things start to go downhill.
Because, when it comes to ARM, compatibility problems are a real pain. Many games simply won't run on ARM, and Windows emulation can increase latency. To make matters worse, games with anti-cheat engines won't boot up. Say goodbye to PC Game Pass. But hey, maybe Nvidia can work some magic.
So, what's next? I'm not holding my breath for an ARM-based gaming revolution just yet. Unless manufacturers figure out a way to make it compatible or developers provide ARM support for their games, I can't see it happening. But if Nvidia's APU does manage to rally the industry to solve the ARM problem, there could be some big changes. We might even see gameplay on a MacBook. Wouldn't that be something?
Another tidbit – it seems that Dell could be in on the project too. I assumed it would be an Alienware gaming laptop, but it could be a Dell Pro Max workstation instead. We'll probably find out more at CES 2026.
Bonus Reading
- AMD Strix Halo APU: Poised to make low-end discrete GPUs obsolete – the RTX 4060 is on high alert!
- Nvidia's Affordable RTX 5060: Coming soon, but that's not the GPU that's caught my eye...
- Dell's LP5 Laptop: A unique laptop that ditches the GPU for a discrete NPU – here's what makes it special!
The Skinny on ARM:
For ARM-based chips to make a splash in the gaming scene, they'll need to overcome two major roadblocks: compatibility problems with games and performance that meets gamer expectations. If successful, these chips could drive innovation in the gaming hardware market, potentially reshaping the landscape and even making traditional gaming laptops seem outdated. But let's wait and see!
- The rumored 120W APU from Nvidia, allegedly in partnership with MediaTek, could potentially rival the gaming performance of an RTX 4070 laptop, but the ARM-based chip may face compatibility issues with various games and Windows emulation.
- The APU's Blackwell architecture offers access to DLSS 4's Multi-Frame Generation, yet its ARM-based nature poses challenges, with some games refusing to run and games with anti-cheat engines failing to boot up.
- Nvidia's APU could find its way into gaming laptops, as per reports from UDN, but due to compatibility issues, it's questionable whether an ARM-based gaming revolution is on the horizon unless manufacturers and developers address these concerns.
- If the industry manages to solve the ARM compatibility problem, we could witness significant changes in the gaming landscape, possibly even gameplay on a MacBook.
- In intriguing news, Dell could reportedly be involved in the project, with the potential for a Dell Pro Max workstation instead of an Alienware gaming laptop.
- Other gadgets and technology worth noting include the AMD Strix Halo APU, Nvidia's Affordable RTX 5060, and Dell's LP5 Laptop, each presenting unique features and potential disruptions in the industry.
