ComputInsights #15 – Weekly Computing Market Insights

Market Growth

Nikkei Rises on Chip Stock Gains, Strong Yen Weighs on Automakers

Japan’s Nikkei index edged up 0.5% as chip-related stocks like Advantest surged, tracking gains in U.S. tech peers. However, a firmer yen pressured export-reliant automakers such as Toyota and Honda, limiting broader market momentum. Caution over U.S.-China trade tensions and weak overall buying sentiment kept gains in check.

M&A and Investments 

U.S. Tightens Chip Tool and Software Exports to China, Targeting EDA and Semiconductor Supply Chain

The U.S. has imposed new export restrictions on chip design software, chemicals, and industrial tools to China, requiring licenses for shipments and revoking some existing approvals. Targeting key chokepoints like EDA tools from Synopsys, Cadence, and Siemens, the move aims to hinder China’s semiconductor progress, though industry insiders say operations in China remain largely unaffected for now. China condemned the action as tech weaponisation, while local EDA alternatives saw stock surges amid expectations of increased self-reliance.

Princeton to Lead $10M U.S. Initiative to Revolutionise Wireless Chip Design Using AI

Princeton University will lead a $10 million AI-driven project to automate the design of advanced wireless communication chips, supported by the National Semiconductor Technology Center. Spearheaded by Professor Kaushik Sengupta, the research aims to cut costs and improve performance by using AI to reimagine radio-frequency chip architecture, shifting from manual design to demand-driven innovation. The team includes academic and industry partners, with backing from major players like Qualcomm, TI, and Nokia Bell Labs.

Company-Specific News

L&T Semiconductor Charts Ambitious Roadmap with GPU Plans, Sectoral Expansion, and Future Fab Goals

L&T Semiconductor Technologies (LTSCT) is progressing ahead of schedule, with over 50 customers and 11 active product projects. The fabless Indian chip firm is developing CPUs, GPUs, NPUs, and ISPs, targeting key sectors like automotive, industrial, and energy. While revenue will begin this year from industrial clients, long-term plans include potential chip manufacturing fabs, depending on product success and revenue thresholds between $50M and $1B.

Palit and LYNK+ Unveil Modular Liquid Cooling for RTX 5090 at Computex 2025

Palit and LYNK+ have introduced a factory-installed, modular liquid cooling solution for the GeForce RTX 5090, designed to manage the GPU’s extreme thermal output. The system allows for flexible upgrades, while third-party options from Bykski, HEATKILLER, and Barrow provide additional high-performance cooling alternatives for custom setups.

NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell GPU Outpaces RTX 5090 by 15%, But at a $10K Price Tag

NVIDIA’s new RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell GPU, priced at over $10,000, outperforms the RTX 5090 by up to 15% in 4K gaming tests, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars Outlaws, even without ray tracing enabled. While it’s being hailed as the new gaming king, its massive 96GB of GDDR7 memory and enterprise focus make it better suited for AI workloads—gamers are still better off with the more affordable RTX 5090.