In the first quarter of 2024, worldwide desktop Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) shipments reached 70 million units, and desktop CPU shipments increased by 33% compared to the same period last year, according to data from the analytical firm Jon Peddie Research. This significant growth marks the second-largest increase in delivery over the past two and a half decades. However, sequential CPU and GPU shipments declined, attributed to seasonal variations.
Jon Peddie Research forecasts project a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.6% for GPU sales over the 2024–2026 timeframe. By the end of this projected period, nearly 3 billion GPUs are expected to be used globally in PCs. In the next five years, the adoption of discrete GPUs in PCs will reach 22%, signalling that one in five computers will have a video card.
Overall GPU shipments, which include integrated graphics and discrete video cards for both desktop and laptop systems, have increased by 28% year-on-year. Desktop GPU deliveries fell by 7%, while laptop graphics showed a year-on-year increase of 38%.
Comparing the first quarter of 2024 with the previous quarter, the market share of GPUs from AMD (both discrete and integrated) decreased by 0.7%, Intel’s share increased by 0.3%, and Nvidia’s share increased by 0.4%. Overall, GPU shipments decreased by 9.9% compared to the last quarter: AMD saw a decrease of 13.6%, Intel 9.6%, and Nvidia 7.7%.
Sales in the first quarter are traditionally lower than in the last quarter of the previous year. Discrete graphics shipments fell by 12.4% compared to the previous quarter, representing a more significant than average drop of 11% observed over the past decade.
Moving on to desktop CPUs deliveries, it sequentially dropped, yet notably increased year-on-year. CPU shipments decreased by 9.4% compared to the previous quarter, but increased by 33.3% compared to the same period last year.
“Microsoft, AMD, and Intel are pushing AI PCs. AMD and Nvidia forecast growth in the second quarter, so there could be a surprise, and the traditional seasonality may change again. However, AMD and Nvidia’s forecasts also include deliveries for data centers. We expect Nvidia, which holds the market lead, to deliver over 2 million GPUs for data centers in 2024,” Jon Peddie, President of Jon Peddie Research, stated.
