Tech News
Back to home
Technology

Chinese companies reportedly considering sourcing H200 chips from the black market as chips held at the border — demand for Nvidia AI GPUs remain high despite political uncertainty

Source

Tom's Hardware

Published

TL;DR

AI Generated

Chinese companies are considering sourcing Nvidia's H200 AI GPUs from the black market due to a ban on imports by Beijing. Customs officials are holding H200 chips at the border, leading buyers to explore illegal channels for acquisition. Despite political uncertainty, demand for these GPUs remains high in China, with some companies resorting to paying a premium for them. The Chinese government aims to boost its domestic semiconductor industry but faces challenges in matching the performance of advanced Western chips like the H200. It is unclear whether Beijing's ban on the H200 is permanent or a negotiating tactic, with upcoming visits by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and President Trump potentially influencing the situation.

Read Full Article

Similar Articles

US stops exports of tools to China’s number two chip maker — Hua Hong and Huali Microelectronics reportedly on the cusp of starting a 7-nm fab in Shanghai

US stops exports of tools to China’s number two chip maker — Hua Hong and Huali Microelectronics reportedly on the cusp of starting a 7-nm fab in Shanghai

The US Department of Commerce has instructed toolmakers to cease exports to Hua Hong, China's second-largest chipmaker, which is gearing up to establish a 7-nm production line in Shanghai. This move is part of the US strategy to impede China's semiconductor self-sufficiency efforts. Companies like TSMC and ASML have also faced restrictions in providing advanced services to Chinese tech firms. The ban on exports could strain US-China relations, impacting both Chinese companies' progress and potential losses for American toolmakers.

Tom's Hardware•
Taiwan's stock market surpasses the UK's despite having less than a quarter of the UK's economy — AI boom propels Taiwan forward, TSMC alone accounts for more than 40% of Taiwan's total market value

Taiwan's stock market surpasses the UK's despite having less than a quarter of the UK's economy — AI boom propels Taiwan forward, TSMC alone accounts for more than 40% of Taiwan's total market value

Taiwan's stock market has surpassed the UK's in value, driven by the global demand for AI chips. TSMC alone accounts for over 40% of Taiwan's total market value, with a market cap of around $1.98 trillion. Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission has raised the single-stock investment cap for local equity funds, benefiting companies like TSMC. TSMC reported record earnings and plans to expand to meet AI demand. South Korea's market is also thriving, with Samsung and SK hynix leading the charge in the semiconductor industry.

Tom's Hardware•
Intel posts very strong Q1 2026 earnings as the AI boom starts to focus on CPUs

Intel posts very strong Q1 2026 earnings as the AI boom starts to focus on CPUs

Intel's Q1 2026 earnings exceeded expectations, with $13.58 billion in revenue, up 7.2% year over year. The data center and AI divisions contributed significantly to this success, generating $5.1 billion in revenue. Intel's foundry business is gaining momentum, with $5.4 billion in revenue, positioning itself as a strong competitor to TSMC. Recent partnerships with Tesla and Google, along with new hardware releases, have further boosted Intel's performance. The increasing demand for AI-focused CPUs is driving growth for companies like Intel, prompting them to raise chip prices and forecast Q2 revenue of $13.8 to $14.8 billion.

TweakTown•
Intel has reportedly cancelled discrete gaming GPUs for the upcoming Xe3P Arc "Celestial" family — gaming GPU remains uncertain even for the next-gen Xe4 "Druid" lineup that lands in 2027

Intel has reportedly cancelled discrete gaming GPUs for the upcoming Xe3P Arc "Celestial" family — gaming GPU remains uncertain even for the next-gen Xe4 "Druid" lineup that lands in 2027

Intel has reportedly scrapped plans for discrete gaming GPUs in the upcoming Xe3P Arc "Celestial" family, leaving the fate of gaming GPUs uncertain even for the Xe4 "Druid" lineup expected in 2027. The Celestial GPU was originally intended for a 2025 launch but was replaced by Battlemage, with Xe3P now serving other purposes. Intel's focus seems to be shifting towards AI applications, with leaks suggesting a potential late-2027 release for the Druid architecture. The future of dedicated gaming GPUs from Intel remains speculative, with the possibility of a revival with the Druid lineup.

Tom's Hardware•

We use cookies

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our cookie policy.