Intel announced its much-anticipated 14th generation Core processors, codenamed “Meteor Lake,” which feature a new architecture optimized for AI workloads. The flagship mobile processors, branded as “Core Ultra,” integrate a dedicated AI compute tile called the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) to accelerate AI tasks directly on the CPU.
Key Details on New Core Ultra Chips
- Branded as Core i9, Core i7, and Core i5 “Ultra” series
- Built on Intel’s 7nm “Meteor Lake” architecture
- Feature dedicated on-chip NPU for AI acceleration
- Up to 2x higher AI performance than previous gen
- Integrated GPU uses new Intel Arc architecture
- Up to 2x faster graphics
- More power efficient, improved battery life
- Coming to laptops from major OEMs in early 2023
The new Core Ultra platform represents Intel’s major push into the AI era, with the company touting “AI everywhere” with the ubiquitous acceleration now built into client CPUs alongside the GPU and CPU. Intel is promising up to 2x higher performance in AI workloads compared to its previous generation mobile chips.
Meteor Lake Brings Major Architectural Overhaul
Meteor Lake is built on Intel’s bleeding edge 7nm manufacturing process, which allows for increased transistor density and efficiency. But beyond advanced manufacturing, Meteor Lake also ushers in some key architectural innovations:
- Chiplet-based design
- Separate chiplets for CPU, GPU, NPU, IO, SoC
- Intel Arc discrete graphics architecture integrated
- Up to 2x faster graphics performance
- Support for advanced AI capabilities via NPU
- Next-gen I/O and memory subsystems
- Enhanced media engine, security features
This modular chiplet approach provides more flexibility for Intel to mix-and-match IP blocks and process nodes for optimal performance and efficiency. For example, leveraging external foundry capacity for cutting edge GPU chiplets.
| Chiplet | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU | Based on new x86 “Redwood Cove” cores |
| GPU | Intel Arc graphics architecture |
| NPU | AI neural processing unit |
| IO Chiplet | External memory, PCIe, Thunderbolt |
| SoC | System glue logic, media encode/decode |
Analysis: Strong AI Focus Differentiates from AMD Competition
The integration of dedicated AI acceleration in the form of the NPU is a key differentiating factor for this generation over competing solutions from AMD based on the Zen 4 architecture. With Ryzen 7000 still relying on external GPUs for AI workloads, Intel is touting a more holistic, integrated approach.
For client and edge computing use cases, this on-die NPU can provide responsive experiences powered by neural networks, ML, and AI capabilities – all without the need for a discrete GPU. This will also be an advantage for thin-and-light form factors.
However, Intel does still trail AMD in raw CPU performance based on early benchmarks. And AMD’s next-gen Ryzen 7000 X3D chips with 3D V-Cache due out in early 2023 may shift the balance once again.
So while Meteor Lake and Core Ultra reset Intel’s process lead with an advanced, modular architecture – expect the CPU performance wars with AMD to rage on even as both vendors push towards an AI-centric future.
First Core Ultra Laptops Coming from Top OEMs
Coinciding with the launch, major OEM partners announced a variety of new laptops based on Core Ultra processors across consumer and commercial segments:
Lenovo
- Refreshed ThinkPad X1 lineup including:
- ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
- ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8
- ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 4
Dell
- New Latitude laptops
- Latitude 7330 Ultralight
- Latitude 7440 and 7540
- Precision mobile workstations
HP
- Elite Dragonfly devices
- HP Elite Dragonfly G4
- HP Elite Dragonfly Max
Asus
- New Zenbook range
- Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED
- Zenbook S 14 Flip OLED
And more announcements from MSI, Acer, Samsung, and others expected at CES 2023.
Consumers can expect more than 60 laptop designs based on Core Ultra to become available in early 2023 – delivering responsive AI experiences in sleek, portable designs across various form factors, price points, and usage models.
Outlook: The Opening Salvo in AI-Centric Computing
With competitors like Apple M2 chips and Google’s Tensor SoC already staking out AI acceleration leadership in specific segments, Meteor Lake Core Ultra chips mark Intel’s entry into more generalized, ubiquitous AI integration into the heart of PCs – the x86 CPU architecture powering over 1 billion Windows and Linux devices globally.
And this is just the beginning. Intel also teased next-generation Sapphire Rapids data center processors and the discrete Gaudi data center GPU – promising up to 6x higher AI performance to dominate Nvidia in that lucrative market.
So while AMD pushes the performance envelope with its V-Cache stacked memory architecture and Apple optimizes around its designers SoCs, Intel is taking the strategy of attacking AI workloads by integrating acceleration broadly across every layer of the computing stack – from edge devices to cloud data centers.
With AI poised to usher in the next era of computing, Intel’s “AI Everywhere” vision backed by major investments in software stacks like OneAPI and hardware IP aimed at AI workloads makes it a player to watch closely once again – disrupting the competitive dynamics after years of missteps and declining dominance.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
