In a surprising twist of global tech dynamics, China’s underground GPU repair industry is thriving-especially when it comes to NVIDIA’s high-end AI chips like the H100 and A100. 
These chips, vital for artificial intelligence workloads, are being serviced in growing numbers by specialized repair firms across the country.
Despite tightened U.S. export restrictions, China still has widespread access to these powerful GPUs, often acquired through gray markets or leftover inventory. But instead of focusing on acquisition alone, Chinese firms have found another lucrative niche-repair. Since NVIDIA no longer provides support to Chinese clients for the H100 and A100 models, a bustling market has emerged to fill that gap.
According to a Reuters investigation, some Chinese repair businesses are servicing over 500 GPUs per month, with a dozen or more workshops operating at full throttle. Services range from PCB fixes and software testing to fan replacements and component-level repairs, often fetching as much as $2,800 per chip.
While skepticism around the legality of these operations exists, it’s important to note that in China, buying, selling, and repairing NVIDIA GPUs isn’t illegal. What’s less clear, however, is how these repair shops secure the necessary replacement parts-suggesting an intricate supply network that functions parallel to official channels.
For Chinese AI firms relying on hardware that may be up to three years old, repair makes more sense than attempting to source new chips from either NVIDIA or domestic alternatives like Huawei. In essence, this unofficial repair ecosystem is helping China extend the operational life of its AI infrastructure, effectively sidestepping the limitations of international tech sanctions.
As global tensions continue and restrictions tighten, China’s thriving repair market isn’t just keeping older chips alive-it’s keeping the AI race competitive.