GeForce RTX 50 gaming laptops will likely be paired with previous-gen CPUs

Rumor mill: The next generation of GeForce RTX GPUs is expected to be unveiled soon, with Nvidia introducing both desktop and laptop versions of its new gaming powerhouse chips. However, things could take an unusual turn for the gaming laptops that will carry the latest graphics chips.

Following months of rumors and unconfirmed speculation, Nvidia is anticipated to launch its Blackwell-based gaming GPUs during CES 2025. The AI company is also expected to reveal details about the laptop version of the GeForce RTX 50 series, which, according to a roadmap leaked earlier this year, will include five different configurations.

Some information is circulating about upcoming gaming laptops, suggesting that they will likely pair the new-gen GPUs with older Intel and AMD CPUs. Well-known Chinese leaker "Golden Pig Upgrade" recently shared that Nvidia's next-gen notebook platform will primarily ship with "N-1" or even "N-2" generation CPUs rather than the latest x86 chips.

According to the leaker, it's unlikely that a brand-new laptop using Intel's 13th-gen Core CPUs will be released in 2025. Instead, GeForce RTX 50 GPUs are expected to pair with 14th Gen Core-HX or Zen 4 chips. Newer multicore hybrid CPUs, particularly Intel's Core Ultra 200 series, may not perform as well as Raptor Lake chips in gaming workloads, and the upcoming Core Ultra 200 "Arrow Lake" CPUs aren't expected to perform much better.

A brand-new laptop using Intel's 13th-gen Core CPUs in 2025 is unlikely, the Chinese leaker said, which means GeForce RTX 50 GPUs should mostly come together with 14th-gen Core-HX or Zen 4 chips. AMD's Ryzen AI 300 chips and Intel's Core Ultra "Arrow Lake" CPUs aren't as good as Raptor Lake chips in gaming workloads apparently, or at least not good enough to justify a 2x price premium on the builds.

Another possible explanation could hide in a simple timing issue. Nvidia had to delay production of Blackwell GPUs for AI machines due to some design flaws, and development of the GeForce RTX 50 series could have been impacted as well. Most Blackwell AI GPUs are already sold out before coming out of TSMC's manufacturing lines.

Also read: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop vs. Desktop GPU

If Golden Pig Upgrade's rumor proves accurate, the next gaming laptops may emphasize CPUs with more performance cores and higher TDP levels. AMD is also expected to launch a Strix Halo mobile APU with a powerful, discrete-like GPU. However, such a product would make little sense when paired with a GeForce RTX 50 chip.

Current rumors about the RTX 50 series indicate that the 5090 will be incredibly powerful, with the 5080 coming in at about half the performance and specifications. Thus, it'd make sense if the mobile lineup starts at the 5080 GPU level. Nvidia is reportedly moving to GDDR7 memory for the Blackwell GeForce, which may also extend to its mobile GPUs.