Nvidia is preparing a new China-specific artificial intelligence chip that could outperform its current H20 model, even as regulatory uncertainty clouds its path, according to sources briefed on the matter.
A New Blackwell-Based Design
The chip, tentatively named B30A, is expected to be based on Nvidia’s latest Blackwell architecture and use a single-die design, delivering about half the raw computing power of the company’s flagship dual-die B300 accelerator card. Despite being scaled down, it is still expected to be significantly more powerful than the H20 chip that Nvidia currently sells in China.
Like the H20, the B30A would feature high-bandwidth memory and Nvidia’s NVLink technology for fast data transfer between processors. Nvidia hopes to deliver test samples to Chinese clients as early as next month, though final specifications are still being refined.
Political Backdrop
President Trump recently signaled that Nvidia and AMD could be allowed to sell scaled-down versions of their advanced chips in China, but approval is uncertain. Washington has consistently expressed concerns about giving Beijing access to cutting-edge AI hardware, citing national security risks.
Nvidia only resumed H20 sales in July after a temporary suspension imposed in April under updated export restrictions. Trump has since announced a deal requiring Nvidia and AMD to give the U.S. government 15% of revenue from certain China sales.
Still, U.S. lawmakers remain skeptical. Both Republicans and Democrats worry that even weaker chips could accelerate China’s AI progress.
Strategic Stakes
China accounted for 13% of Nvidia’s revenue in the last fiscal year. Nvidia argues that restricting its sales risks pushing Chinese developers entirely toward domestic suppliers such as Huawei, which has made major strides in chip design but still lags in software and memory bandwidth.
Complicating matters further, Chinese state media have accused Nvidia’s chips of posing security risks, warning local firms about potential backdoors — claims Nvidia denies.
Beyond the B30A
In addition to the B30A, Nvidia is working on another China-specific chip, the RTX6000D, designed mainly for AI inference tasks. Expected in September, this lower-cost product is built to stay under U.S. export thresholds, with memory bandwidth just below the latest regulatory ceiling.
Nvidia is navigating a tightrope between U.S. export controls and China’s growing demand for advanced AI hardware. The B30A project highlights both the company’s determination to maintain its foothold in China and the geopolitical risks that could derail its efforts.
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