The chip launch event at CES2026 was quite breathless to watch. Nvidia brought the Rubin chip this time, claiming that AI computing power can be increased tenfold, and Jensen Huang spoke very directly on stage. AMD is not idle either, launching the architecture with the highest global memory density. The competition between the two companies has shifted from specifications to actual application scenarios.

The most eye-catching aspect on site was still the graphics card prices. After the Rubin release, voices in the market are already predicting the next price hike cycle. Store owners selling graphics cards, seeing this news, are probably already adjusting their prices. For miners and professional users, cost calculations have suddenly become more complicated—the new computing power metrics are indeed tempting, but electricity costs and hardware expenses need to be recalculated.

Another noteworthy change in the hardware ecosystem is that virtual avatar technology is beginning to integrate with laptops and peripherals, meaning that applications related to the metaverse are no longer confined to specialized VR devices. Ordinary consumers can experience these features just by playing a game. For users who previously entered the NFT and virtual asset markets, this could be a new market signal.

Overall, the core message from this exhibition is: the GPU arms race has entered a new stage, with both breakthroughs in chip performance and rising prices happening simultaneously. Those involved in mining or professional rendering need to calmly assess cash flow and ROI cycles, and not be blinded by new performance metrics.