(Reuters) - Nvidia (NVDA.O) shares gained 3% before the bell on Thursday, set to extend the semiconductor bellwether's lead as the world's most valuable company, after partners Dell and Super Micro Computer received server orders for Elon Musk's AI startup.
Nvidia, whose market capitalization surpassed that of Microsoft (MSFT.O) on Tuesday, was set to add more than $92 billion to its market value of $3.34 trillion at $139.35, compared with Microsoft's $3.32 trillion.
Dell Technologies (DELL.N) and Super Micro Computer (SMCI.O) gained 3.8% and 4.8%, respectively.
The companies make servers equipped with Nvidia chips, enabling them to capitalize on the surging demand for processors that power virtually all AI applications.
Musk said on his X social media platform on Wednesday that Dell and Super Micro are supplying server racks for xAI's supercomputer, which will be used to expand the capabilities of its AI tool, Grok.
He said earlier this year that training the Grok 2 model took about 20,000 Nvidia H100 graphic processing units and that the Grok 3 model and beyond would require 100,000 Nvidia H100 chips.
"While Microsoft both spends and makes money in AI, Nvidia only makes money and lot's of money and profits in AI. That's why you cannot spell Nvidia without AI," said Jake Dollarhide, chief executive officer, Longbow Asset Management.
Nvidia's stock price has nearly tripled so far this year, powering the gains in the broader market. Super Micro shares have more than tripled in value during the same period, while Dell's stock is up nearly 95%.
The Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index (.SOX) has risen nearly 34% since the most recent low in April and closed at a lifetime high on Tuesday.