The global CPU market is experiencing a revitalization, with a promising surge in both client and server CPU shipments throughout the third quarter of 2024. This rebound is being extensively documented by Jon Peddie Research, highlighting that the long-dormant sector is finally shaking off the effects of the negative growth it witnessed in the years 2021 and 2022.
A significant chunk of this upswing has been fueled by China’s robust increase in PC CPU shipments within this period. The figures are striking, with an overall growth of 12.2% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter. While Q2 2024 saw PC CPU shipments dip below 60 million units, Q3 has witnessed this number soar back up to approximately 70 million units—a clear indication that the market is on an upward trajectory.
In recent years, the third quarter has typically been a time of growth, yet both 2021 and 2022 were exceptions, marked by notable declines. However, the tide turned in Q3 2023 with a significant margin jump, and now in 2024, the market has achieved an encouraging 7.8% year-on-year growth. The notebook sector saw its market share climb from 24% to 30% from Q2 to Q3 of 2024, leaving the desktop CPU share at about 70%.
China’s influence cannot be understated in this resurgence, with companies like Lenovo playing a pivotal role in boosting PC CPU numbers. Despite the client PC market’s previous volatility, this sharp Q3 increase is welcomed news. Yet, the exact impact of AI PCs on these figures remains somewhat elusive.
Integrated GPU shipments have also been on the rise, marking a 7% increase over Q2 2024. The year-over-year rise stands at about 6%, boosted by significant advancements from AMD and Intel in iGPU development across both desktop and laptop platforms.
Server CPU shipments portray a similar trend, growing by 10.5% compared to Q2 2024 and achieving a modest 2% year-on-year growth. Although the overall results are optimistic, they haven’t yet reached the impressive shipment numbers seen in 2020 and 2021. There is hope that the increasing demand for AI and related technologies will continue to propel CPU shipments upward into the coming year, marking a potentially brighter future for both client and server markets.
