Windows 11 driver files have revealed two distinct hardware configurations for the upcoming NVIDIA RTX Spark N1X, featuring either 6,144 or 5,120 CUDA cores. These findings, uncovered in a developer preview driver, suggest a tiered lineup for the Blackwell-based SoC, with the top-end model expected to pair with a 20-core CPU.
NVIDIA RTX Spark N1X Core Specifications
Recent investigation into official Windows 11 drivers has provided the most detailed look yet at the hardware makeup of the NVIDIA RTX Spark. A nv_surface_woa.inf
file contained within the driver package lists two specific configurations for the NVIDIA RTX Spark N1X,
shedding light on the device’s graphics processing capabilities.
According to TechPowerUp, the documentation confirms two distinct SKUs. The higher-tier variant utilizes a Blackwell GPU with 6,144 CUDA cores, while the more accessible model features 5,120 cores. Analysts suggest that the top-tier version will likely be paired with a 20-core CPU and 48 Streaming Multiprocessors, whereas the secondary model may utilize an 18-core CPU alongside 40 Streaming Multiprocessors.
Performance Context and Hardware Comparisons
While the core counts provide a baseline for comparison, they do not necessarily dictate real-world performance. The 6,144-core count on the RTX Spark N1X aligns with the specifications found in desktop-grade NVIDIA RTX 5070 cards and laptop-based RTX 3080 GPUs. Similarly, the 5,120-core configuration matches the hardware footprint of the laptop-class RTX 3070.
Despite these hardware parallels, early testing indicates the platform is capable of handling demanding software. Reports suggest that both Alan Wake 2 and PRAGMATA run fluidly on the platform, even with path tracing enabled. Wccftech notes that while the driver version 616.00 is currently a developer preview not intended for standard consumer use, it has allowed for significant insight into the SoC’s architecture.
Memory and System Integration
System memory remains a key feature for both tiers of the RTX Spark. NVIDIA has confirmed that the platform will support up to 128GB of LPDDR5X RAM. This allows users who may prioritize memory capacity over raw graphics compute to maintain high performance across the product range.
The provided sources do not contain information regarding the successful operation of an NVIDIA discrete graphics card on a Huawei Kunpeng 920 running Windows 11 ARM.
As the project moves toward a wider release, the balance between CPU core counts and GPU throughput will remain the primary differentiator for consumers looking at the RTX Spark lineup.