Nvidia’s attempt to capture the Chinese AI market with its new RTX6000D chip is facing a setback, as major technology companies show limited interest. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the chip, specifically designed for China, is viewed as expensive and underwhelming in terms of performance.
Testing has shown that the RTX6000D performs worse than the RTX5090, a chip banned by the U.S. for use in China but still easily available through grey market channels at less than half the price. Chinese tech giants, including Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance, are also waiting for the resumption of shipments for Nvidia’s H20 chip, which was recently re-approved for sale. Furthermore, these firms are hopeful that Washington will also approve the sale of the even more powerful B30A chip.
The tepid demand for the RTX6000D stands in stark contrast to optimistic projections from market analysts like JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley, who had forecasted millions of units being produced.
The availability of cutting-edge AI chips in China is a major point of contention in U.S.-Sino trade relations. At the same time, Beijing is increasingly encouraging Chinese companies to use domestic chips, adding to Nvidia’s challenges in this crucial market.
