NVIDIA Blackwell AI Chip China: New, Cheaper Model Launches
May 26, 2025 — NVIDIA is launching a new, lower-cost version of the NVIDIA Blackwell AI chip for China. This release comes in response to U.S. export rules, which blocked sales of the company’s most advanced AI hardware. Moreover, the chip helps NVIDIA stay compliant while continuing to serve one of its largest markets.
Why NVIDIA Made a New Blackwell AI Chip for China
In late 2024, the U.S. government restricted exports of NVIDIA’s advanced H20 chip to China. That chip, priced around $10,000–$12,000, used high-speed tech that is now banned Details on NVIDIA’s H20 chip
China made up 13% of NVIDIA’s revenue last year. So, the company designed a lighter, cheaper version to keep selling AI hardware there
Key Features of the New NVIDIA Blackwell AI Chip
This new NVIDIA Blackwell AI chip will cost between $6,500 and $8,000. It uses GDDR7 memory, not the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) found in the banned H20 chip Details on NVIDIA’s H20 chip.
This helps the chip stay under the U.S. export cap of 1.8 terabytes per second (TB/s). It offers solid AI performance while remaining legal to export.
Other Specs That Keep It Legal
- No CoWoS packaging (used in more powerful chips)
- Designed to reduce memory speed and processing power just enough
- Tailored for Chinese data centers and AI developers
NVIDIA Blackwell AI Chip vs. H20: Side-by-Side
| Feature | New Blackwell China Chip | H20 (Banned in China) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6,500–$8,000 | $10,000–$12,000 |
| Memory | GDDR7 | High Bandwidth Memory |
| Packaging | No CoWoS | CoWoS Used |
| Bandwidth | ~1.7–1.8 TB/s | 4 TB/s |
| Availability | June–July 2025 | Banned (April 2025) |
| Target Market | Export-compliant China | Restricted China Market |
Market Outlook: Can NVIDIA Keep Its Share in China?
NVIDIA once held 95% of the Chinese AI chip market. Today, that share has dropped to about 50%. Why? Rising local competition.
Chinese tech giants like Huawei now sell their own chips, such as the Ascend 910B. U.S. rules have also forced Chinese buyers to look elsewhere.
Still, China’s AI market is booming. Its data center sector could hit $50 billion soon. NVIDIA wants to stay in the game—and this chip may help.
When Will the New Blackwell Chip Be Available in China?
- Mass production starts: June 2025
- Expected availability: July 2025
- Second version (in progress): May launch as soon as September
What the New NVIDIA Blackwell AI Chip Means for the Industry
Firstly, NVIDIA’s new chip shows how global tech firms can adapt fast. Instead of leaving the market, NVIDIA changed its product to follow the law.
Other companies may follow this model—creating “compliance-friendly” tech for regions with trade limits.
Conclusion
In summary, NVIDIA Blackwell AI chip for China balances performance, price, and policy. It’s less powerful than the banned H20 but still strong enough for many AI tasks.
With this chip, NVIDIA keeps a foothold in one of the world’s biggest AI markets—despite trade tensions and rising competition.
