Nvidia GPUs Now Powering Windows on Arm PCs

Modders have achieved a significant milestone by enabling Nvidia desktop GPUs to operate on Windows on Arm systems. This was accomplished by adapting Nvidia's RTX Spark driver for alternative Arm platforms, a feat previously thought difficult.

The process involved extracting the ARM64 Nvidia driver from RTX Spark software and modifying it to work on specific Arm processors, like the Kunpen 920. While initial performance tests, such as in the Black Myth: Wukong benchmark, showed modest results with an average of 21 frames per second, this is considered an early proof of concept.

Developers estimate that the x86-to-Arm translation layer consumes around 25% of the CPU's performance. This, combined with the entry-level nature of some tested GPUs like the RTX 4060, explains the current gaming limitations. However, the success suggests future potential with improved drivers and hardware, possibly including RTX 20, 30, and 50 series GPUs.

Despite the excitement, challenges remain. Classic Windows on Arm issues, such as anti-cheat software compatibility problems and the lack of drivers for certain hardware components like network interfaces, need addressing. Furthermore, technical hurdles, like the graphics card's video output not working properly, required workarounds such as streaming for recording purposes. Significant development is still needed before this becomes a mainstream solution.