What’s happened? For the first time, a discrete graphics card has been publicly demonstrated running on Windows on ARM. As reported first by ITHome, the GPU in question is the Lisuan 7G106, a Chinese-made dGPU that was recently shown running a 3DMark benchmark on an ARM-based Windows system. While it is still very early and far from a consumer-ready product, the demo itself is a landmark moment for the ARM Windows ecosystem.
- The Lisuan 7G106 was shown running 3DMark Time Spy on Windows on ARM, confirming real dGPU driver support.
- This makes it the first known discrete GPU to demonstrate Windows on ARM compatibility publicly.
- Performance details are limited for now, but the demo confirms that basic rendering, driver, and API support are already functional.
Why this is important: Windows on ARM has always struggled with one massive bottleneck: graphics. While Qualcomm’s integrated GPUs have improved, they still fall far short of what even entry-level discrete GPUs can do for gaming, 3D work, and creative workloads. Until now, no company had successfully demonstrated a true dGPU running on the ARM version of Windows in a public, benchmarked environment.
This changes the tone of the entire conversation around ARM PCs. It suggests Windows on ARM is no longer limited to ultra-thin laptops and productivity machines. For the first time, it looks like the platform could realistically aim for gaming laptops, workstations, and performance-focused desktops. Even if Lisuan itself never becomes a mainstream name, the technical proof of concept is what truly matters here.
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
Why should I care? If you’ve ever been curious about Windows on ARM but held back because “it can’t really game,” this is the first real sign that the rules could eventually change. A future where ARM laptops offer both great battery life and real GPU power would finally remove the biggest compromise in the platform. No more choosing between efficiency and performance.
It also puts subtle pressure on the big players. NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel have all stayed away from discrete Windows on ARM GPUs so far. Now that a smaller company has proven it’s technically possible, the question becomes when, not if, the major GPU vendors choose to follow. For you as a buyer, that could eventually mean thinner gaming laptops, cooler-running creator PCs, and better battery life without giving up graphics horsepower.
Asus
Okay, so what’s next? Don’t expect to plug a Lisuan GPU into your ARM PC anytime soon. This was very much a proof-of-concept, not a store-shelf product, and since it’s a desktop-class card, a laptop version will take even longer. Still, the real story is the signal it sends. Now that a discrete GPU has been shown running on Windows on ARM, all eyes shift to NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel. If any of them decide to jump in, things could move fast. For now, think of this as the first domino, not the finish line.
