Computex 2026 Day Zero Wrap-Up: Nvidia launches RTX Spark Superchip assault on laptop and desktop markets, Intel readies Xeon 6+
Computex 2026 is off to a strong start
We’re back on the ground in Taipei, Taiwan, for another Computex. We have half a dozen boots on the ground tasked with getting you in-person, hands-on pictures, video, and commentary on all the latest and greatest hardware coming to market. Of course, artificial intelligence (AI) is an ever-present at the show (as it has been in years past), and seems to be invading even more product categories. For even more coverage, you can always check out our dedicated Computex 2026 hub.
Nvidia sets its sights on Apple’s M5 with RTX Spark
A new player is entering the Windows on Arm market to take on the likes of Qualcomm. Over the weekend, Nvidia announced the RTX Spark Superchip, a powerful new Arm platform designed to transform Windows 11 into an agentic AI operating system.
At its heart are 20 Arm CPU cores, 128GB of LPDDR5x RAM with 300 GBps of memory bandwidth, and a Blackwell-class GPU with 6,144 CUDA cores. Nvidia is targeting 1 petaflop of AI compute with the RTX Spark Superchip. Nvidia’s entry into this segment is so monumental that even Intel is taking the threat seriously.
Microsoft is among the first companies to adopt the RTX Spark Superchip, having announced the Surface Laptop Ultra. This new premium laptop, which seems aimed at Apple’s MacBook Pro family, wraps a 15-inch laptop around the RTX Spark Superchip. The laptop’s Mini LED display features a 2880 x 1920 resolution and offers 2,000-nit peak brightness. Given that the Surface Laptop Ultra is targeting the professional market, it also comes packing a wealth of ports, including HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, and an SD reader.
- Nvidia lays out RTX Spark roadmap for laptops and desktop PCs at Computex 2026
- Nvidia unveils RTX Spark Superchip for laptops and desktop PCs at Computex 2026
- Nvidia's new RTX Spark chip will bring popular anti-cheat software natively to Windows-on-Arm
- Intel warns it has 'a healthy dose of paranoia' over Nvidia entrance into PC market
- Nvidia's new RTX Spark chip will bring popular anti-cheat software natively to Windows-on-Arm
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra weilds Nvidia's RTX Spark superchip with 128GB of RAM, 20 Arm CPU cores, and a Blackwell GPU
Intel and AMD lay out their plans for future CPU platforms, AMD confirms continued AM5 support
“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” Intel won’t allow AMD to dominate the data center market, hence the arrival of Xeon 6+. Xeon 6+ (Clearwater Forest) is built on Intel’s 18A node and is compatible with existing LGA 7529 socket platforms.
In its most potent form, the Xeon 6990E+ features 288 Darkmont cores with 576 MB of L3 cache and is aimed squarely at AMD’s 192-core Epyc 9965 (Intel claims that the 6990E+ offers a 30 percent uplift in performance per thread over its AMD rival).
The company’s next-generation Xeon 7 “Diamond Rapids” chips are on track to launch in 2027 and will use the more advanced Intel 18A-P node. Xeon 7 will exclusively use a 16-channel memory design and will have native support for PCIe 6.0.
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Intel also provided details on its Crescent Island AI GPU, which uses Xe3P architecture. The GPU can be combined with up to 480GB of DDR5x memory and operated within a 350W power window.
On the AMD front, the Ryzen 7 5800X3D 10th Anniversary Edition is coming soon with a retail price of just under $350. It's nice to see that AMD is still showing some love to AM4 users. However, for those needing affordable options for AM5 platforms, the company has launched the Ryzen 7 7700X3D at $329.
Speaking of AM5, AMD announced that the socket will stick around through at least 2029
- Intel Xeon 6+ ‘Clearwater Forest’ puts 18A in the data center with up to 288 cores, 576 MB of L3 cache
- Intel details long-awaited Crescent Island AI GPU at Computex, boasts up to 480 GB of LPDDR5X to combat memory shortages
- Intel Xeon 7 ‘Diamond Rapids’ CPUs officially launching in 2027 on Intel 18A-P
- AMD brings back Ryzen 7 5800X3D, launches Ryzen 7 7700X3D to combat rising component pricesAMD confirms AM5 support through 2029
New gaming monitors are on the horizon from Alienware and Asus
Both Alienware and Asus are blanketing the market with new gaming monitors for enthusiasts. Alienware struck the first blows with the AW3926QW and AW3426DW. These monitors use OLED technology, with the former featuring a 39-inch 5120 x 2160 panel with a native refresh rate (330 Hz at 2560 x 1080), while the latter measures 34 inches with a 3440 x 1440 resolution at 280 Hz. Alienware also offers more budget-minded options with the AW3226DM and AW3426DWM, which feature VA panels with QHD and WQHD resolutions, respectively.
Asus has also launched three new OLED gaming monitors: the ROG Swift OLED PG32UCWM, the ROG Strix OLED XG32UQWMS, and the ROG Strix OLED XG259QWPG Ace. The ROG Strix OLED XG259QWPG Ace is the most interesting of the three, featuring a 24.5-inch 1080p display with a 540 Hz refresh rate.
- Alienware debuts 39, 34-inch OLED gaming monitors
- Asus cranks out four fresh ROG gaming monitors, including the world’s first OLED eSports monitor
Everything Else...
We won’t get into detail on everything we’ve seen so far at Computex in this wrap-up — we’ll let the individual news stories speak for themselves. Here’s everything else we’ve covered for Computex 2026 Day Zero:
- Dell XPS 13 targets MacBook Neo with Intel's Wildcat Lake
- Asus' monstrous ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 Edition 20 includes expansive curved AMOLED display
- Supermicro shows off Vera Rubin NVL72 rack with all-new type of coolant
- Acer’s PM131QT portable monitor is a 12.3-inch touchscreen with magnetic mounting, a built-in kickstand, and 5-point touch
- AMD promises 13% uplift with new EXPO ‘Ultra Low Latency’ overclocking on DDR5 DIMMs
- We went hands-on with Qualcomm's new '$300 and up' ARM laptop platform with mystery eight-core CPU
- Bambu Lab Launches Big Bed Slinger: A2L — company's 'H2S Lite' is half the cost of H2S at just $469
- Asus rolls out a ROG 20th anniversary chair and backpack, alongside commemorative components and peripherals
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Brandon Hill is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware. He has written about PC and Mac tech since the late 1990s with bylines at AnandTech, DailyTech, and Hot Hardware. When he is not consuming copious amounts of tech news, he can be found enjoying the NC mountains or the beach with his wife and two sons.