Nvidia Set to Launch RTX 6000D in China, Aiming to Recoup Billions in Lost Revenue with TSMC N4 and GDDR7 Tech
Nvidia is reportedly gearing up to launch the RTX 6000D, a modified GPU designed specifically for the Chinese market to comply with stringent U.S. export controls. This move is part of Nvidia’s strategy to regain market share and recover from significant financial losses incurred due to export restrictions on advanced semiconductors. DigiTimes has revealed that the company aims to ship 1-2 million units of the RTX 6000D by the end of 2025, with the first shipments expected in the third quarter. The visit to China by Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, on March 27, 2025, further solidifies the strategic importance of this new GPU. The RTX 6000D, based on Nvidia’s Blackwell architecture, is fabricated using TSMC’s 4nm process node and includes GDDR7 memory, which can deliver bidirectional bandwidth of around 1,100 GB/s. This advanced memory technology is intended to provide performance comparable to HBM (High Bandwidth Memory), a crucial feature for high-performance AI applications. However, DigiTimes has flagged concerns about potential GDDR7 supply constraints, which could affect the planned production volumes in the second half of 2025. Nvidia’s decision to modify and launch the RTX 6000D is a response to the financial impact of U.S. export restrictions on high-end GPUs. Since the implementation of these restrictions, China's contribution to Nvidia’s revenue dropped from 13% in the fiscal year 2024 to less than 5% in 2025, resulting in an estimated $4.5 billion in impairments and $2.5 billion in lost revenue recognition. Despite recent news that Nvidia has been approved to sell its H20 GPUs in China, the RTX 6000D is expected to play a pivotal role in restoring Nvidia’s presence in the country. Huang’s visit to China was not only symbolic but practical, as he personally presented the RTX 6000D and other export-compliant AI solutions to key Chinese partners. This underscores Nvidia’s commitment to re-engaging with the Chinese market and addressing the regulatory challenges head-on. The U.S. government’s recent deal with China, involving the trade of chip design exports for rare earth materials, suggests some potential easing of tensions, though the restrictions on state-of-the-art semiconductors remain a sensitive issue. China is a critical market for Nvidia, especially in the fast-growing AI sector. Despite domestic Chinese companies like Huawei and Cambricon making strides in developing their own AI capabilities, they still face significant hurdles. These include the older manufacturing processes used by SMIC, higher costs, and a less mature software ecosystem compared to Nvidia’s well-established CUDA platform. This gives Nvidia a competitive edge in the Chinese market. The launch of the RTX 6000D, if successful, could significantly boost Nvidia’s revenue and strengthen its position in China. It also highlights the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding semiconductor technology, where control over advanced chips is seen as essential for maintaining technological and economic dominance. Industry experts view Nvidia’s approach as a savvy maneuver, balancing compliance with export regulations and the imperative to maintain its global market leadership. The company’s ability to adapt and innovate under these constraints showcases its versatility and strategic foresight. Nvidia’s reputation for cutting-edge technology and robust partnerships continues to position it as a key player in the AI and semiconductor industries, despite the regulatory challenges. In summary, the RTX 6000D represents Nvidia’s targeted strategy to navigate the U.S.-China tech war and recover lost ground. If it can overcome production and supply chain challenges, the company is well poised to reassert its influence in one of the world’s most significant technology markets.