As CES 2026 approaches, technology enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the world’s largest consumer electronics show. Known for its influence on the PC industry, this year’s event is expected to be different due to the ongoing memory shortages impacting the global market. While we won’t delve into the intricacies of the memory supply chain, it’s crucial to note that shortages in DRAM products, such as GDDR and LPDDR memory, are anticipated to affect consumer products significantly. This could lead to delays in GPU releases from AMD and NVIDIA and potential price increases in Q1 of next year. For now, let’s focus on the exciting announcements we can expect at CES 2026.
NVIDIA’s ‘AI-First’ Strategy Will Take Center Stage at CES 2026, Potentially Leaving Gamers Without New GPU Launches
NVIDIA’s keynote at CES 2026 is highly anticipated, with past presentations by Jensen Huang being a treat for gamers. As NVIDIA shifts from a gaming-centric company to focusing on AI, the trend is expected to continue at CES. Reports suggest NVIDIA might not showcase the RTX 50 SUPER series, and if it does, it could come with surprises. Expectations indicate that the RTX 50 SUPER GPUs might not hit the market until Q3 2026 due to a significant shortage of GDDR7 modules, affecting their availability. Meanwhile, NVIDIA’s focus will be on its AI advancements, showcasing the Blackwell Ultra and the next-gen Rubin architecture, which are expected to ramp up in H2 2026.
Details on NVIDIA’s new partnership with Groq will also be highlighted, focusing on networking and AI infrastructures. Despite CES being a consumer-focused event, NVIDIA’s massive AI-driven influence will be evident. NVIDIA’s activities begin on January 5th with Jensen Huang taking the stage at 1 p.m. PT.
Intel: Full-Scale Panther Lake & Arrow Lake Refresh Showcase, Updates on 18A HVM & Maybe An Arc Battlemage GPU
Intel is set to make a significant impact at CES, especially with the launch of the Core Ultra 300 “Panther Lake” series. This lineup is Intel’s first consumer product using the 18A process, and its performance could define Intel’s future in the chip industry. The Panther Lake launch will be accompanied by updates on the Arrow Lake Refresh CPUs and the anticipated Arc B770 Battlemage GPU. The Battlemage GPU, equipped with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory, aims to cater to the mid-tier market, bridging the gap to future Xe3 releases.
Intel’s keynote on January 5th at 3:00 p.m. PST will feature Jim Johnson, showcasing these and other innovations as the company strives to reclaim its market position.
AMD to Showcase Next-Gen Gorgon Point APUs, Zen 5 X3D Refresh Desktop CPUs & AI-Focused Products
AMD is gearing up for a transformative CES 2026 with major announcements on both the consumer and AI fronts. The Gorgon Point ‘Ryzen AI 400’ lineup, with upgrades in core, clock speeds, and iGPU, is highly anticipated. AMD will also introduce the Zen 5 X3D-Refresh CPUs, expected to deliver superior gaming performance.
Although no new Radeon GPU launches are expected due to memory constraints, AMD’s focus on AI will be evident with the Instinct MI400 series and updates on Zen 6 Venice CPUs. Lisa Su will lead AMD’s keynote on January 5 at 6:30 PM PST, outlining the company’s direction for the future.
CES 2026 promises to be a thrilling event despite the challenges posed by memory shortages. Expect significant announcements that will shape the future of the PC industry. Stay tuned for exclusive coverage of the event as it unfolds.
Consumer-Focused Highlights
- NVIDIA – No new consumer GPU launches expected; RTX 50 SUPER unlikely
- Intel – Core Ultra 300 “Panther Lake” launch; Arrow Lake Refresh (Core Ultra 200 Plus); possible Arc B770 Battlemage
- AMD – Gorgon Point “Ryzen AI 400” APUs; Zen 5 X3D Refresh CPUs; no new Radeon GPU announcements expected
AI / Data Center Highlights
- NVIDIA – Blackwell Ultra ramp-up; Rubin architecture roadmap; rack-scale AI clusters; networking and inference updates
- Intel – Crescent Island Xe3 inference GPU; updates on 18A HVM and foundry roadmap.
- AMD – Instinct MI400 accelerator preview; EPYC Zen 6 “Venice” CPU updates
So that’s our preview for CES 2026. Let us know your thoughts and what you expect to see at CES 2026 down in the comments.