Recent market analysis shows minimal shifts in the discrete graphics card sector for PCs. Nvidia maintains overwhelming dominance, while Intel holds a minor portion of the pie.
Through efforts with its collaborators, Intel succeeded in distributing sufficient standalone PC graphics cards—termed add-in boards by analyst firm Jon Peddie Research—to claim a slim 1% market position.
The competition between AMD and Intel remains lopsided. Nvidia's portion of the discrete PC graphics board sector dipped slightly from 94% to 92% compared to the prior quarter, yet it rose from 90% a year earlier. Overall, Nvidia drives 92% of discrete PC graphics card shipments in the third quarter of 2025, with AMD at 7% and Intel at 1%.
Though the gain is small, Intel's presence in the independent graphics segment was negligible just a year ago.
These figures overlook Intel's commanding role in integrated graphics solutions. In a report from last week, Jon Peddie Research indicated Intel commands 61% of the overall PC GPU market, reflecting the prevalence of built-in graphics in most Intel PC chips and the company's leading position in PC central processing units.
This development offers some positivity for Intel, which has faced challenges in its processor and graphics divisions due to defects, underwhelming capabilities, and weak demand. The buyers of Intel's discrete cards remain unidentified. While the Arc B580 model earned positive feedback, users largely favor Nvidia's GeForce RTX series.
Graphics card shipments overall rose 2.8% from the previous quarter, reaching 12.02 million units in the third quarter. Jon Peddie, who prepared the Jon Peddie Research analysis, pointed out that second-quarter purchases exceeded typical levels, spurred by apprehension regarding possible import duties.
The ratio of graphics cards to total PC units stayed steady at 162%. This metric encompasses cards bundled with assembled systems as well as standalone retail or distribution channel purchases. It marks an improvement from 141% recorded in the corresponding period last year.
Peddie commented, 'The compound annual growth rate for add-in boards from 2024 through 2029 stands at -0.7%, consistent with ongoing patterns. Given various market factors, we recommend measured hopefulness as trade conflicts resolve and a couple of quarters elapse for stability to emerge.' He added, 'Concerns persist over a recession fueled by inflation, stemming from economic disruptions under the Trump administration.'