Nvidia Announces Project DIGITS: A New $3000 Desktop Computer for AI and HPC Applications
At the 2025 CES event, Nvidia announced a new $3000 desktop computer developed in collaboration with MediaTek, powered by a new cut-down Arm-based Grace CPU and Blackwell GPU Superchip. The new system is called "project DIGITS" (not to be confused with the Nvidia The Deep Learning GPU Training System: DIGITS). The platform offers a series of new capabilities for both the AI and HPC markets.
Scant Specs
The new GB10 Superchip features an Nvidia Blackwell GPU with latest-generation CUDA cores and fifth-generation Tensor Cores, connected via NVLink-C2C chip-to-chip interconnect to a high-performance Nvidia Grace-like CPU, which includes 20 power-efficient Arm cores (ten Arm Cortex-X925 and ten Cortex-A725 CPU cores). Although no specs were available, the GPU side of the GB10 is assumed to offer less performance than the Grace-Blackwell GB200. To be clear; the GB10 is not a binned or laser-trimmed GB200. The GB200 Superchip has 72 Arm Neoverse V2 cores combined with two B200 Tensor Core GPUs.
Project DIGITS Features
The defining feature of the DIGITS system is the 128GB (LPDDR5x) of unified, coherent memory between CPU and GPU. This memory size breaks a "GPU memory barrier" when running AI or HPC models on GPUs; for instance, current market prices for the 80GB Nvidia A100 vary from $18,000 to $20,000. With unified, coherent memory, PCIe transfers between CPU and GPU are also eliminated.
AI on the Desktop
Nvidia reports that developers can run up to 200-billion-parameter large language models to supercharge AI innovation. Additionally, using Nvidia ConnectX networking, two Project DIGITS AI supercomputers can be linked to run up to 405-billion-parameter models. With Project DIGITS, users can develop and run inference on models using their own desktop system, then seamlessly deploy the models on accelerated cloud or data center infrastructure.
HPC Cluster Anyone?
What may not be widely known is that the DIGITS is not the first desk-side Nvidia system. In 2024, GPTshop.ai introduced a GH200-based desk-side system. HPCwire provided coverage that included HPC benchmarks. Unlike the DIGITS project, the GPTshop systems provide the full heft of either the GH200 Grace-Hopper Superchip and GB200 Grace-Blackwell Superchip in a desk-side case. The increased performance also comes with a higher cost.
Conclusion
Project DIGITS is a significant step towards making AI and HPC more accessible to developers and researchers. The unified, coherent memory and power-efficient design make it an attractive option for those who need to run large AI models or HPC applications on their desktop.
FAQs
Q: What is the price of the DIGITS system?
A: The price of the DIGITS system is $3000.
Q: What is the processing power of the DIGITS system?
A: The processing power of the DIGITS system is equivalent to a petaflop (at FP4 precision).
Q: Can I use the DIGITS system for HPC applications?
A: Yes, the DIGITS system can be used for HPC applications, thanks to its unified, coherent memory and power-efficient design.
Q: Can I run large language models on the DIGITS system?
A: Yes, the DIGITS system can run up to 200-billion-parameter large language models, making it a powerful tool for AI innovation.
