Fancy an upgrade for Christmas
Intel are just about to release a major product update on it’s Core CPU family on the 14th Of December. Perhaps a coincidence that it’s for the 14th Generation their CPUs.
The New Chip In Town
For 16 years now, many have become familiar with intel’s CPU family the Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 etc. These have set an industry standard for good, reliable, efficient processors. Their legacy has been impressive. We have now seen 13 generations of this series but Intel have decided it’s time to refocus its direction and engineer some interesting changes for Laptops specifically moving forward. For now Desktop will keep the familiar CPUs.
These processors are about to be replaced by an entire new generation of processers which will be known as the Intel Core Ultra series. Initially these CPUs will be aimed at the laptop market as the benefits will be immediately realised. Many wont notice the name change. The naming will be similar but scaled up to Ultra 5, Ultra 7 and Ultra 9.
Why We Should Take Notice
Intel are saying these processors were built from the ground up with AI in mind
The most noticeable change will be Intel’s first chipset to include a neural processing unit (NPU). Just like how a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) speeds up tasks involving graphics, an NPU accelerates AI tasks which comes to the computer level, allowing local apps to include powerful AI tools, like AI Image Engineering, Video generation, Advanced audio engineering. In the quest for performance per Watt, having this third accelerator the NPU makes a big difference, it allows GPU offloads, making it very efficient. In time to come this technology will allow software developers to leverage the NPU to do remarkable things with AI.
Intel say:
“AI will fundamentally transform, reshape, and restructure the PC experience – unleashing personal productivity and creativity through the power of the cloud and PC working together,” “We are ushering in a new age of the AI PC.”
A new chip for processing AI requests will speed up AI driven tasks on your device.
Other Benefits
The new integrated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) will give systems twice the performance per watt of previous generations.
Having these GPU improvements means laptops will accomplish many tasks with potentially not needing a dedicated Graphics Card which are known to compromise battery performance and add system heat adding to more fan noise etc.
Taking a Cue from Apples Playbook
The Intel Core Ultra may be the first chip from Team Blue that introduces an NPU, but it's not the first processor on the market to do so. That honor would go to Apple, which introduced a neural engine into its Apple M1 Chip in 2020.
These chips, especially on mobile devices, have helped power some remarkable advances in the area of photography and video on the best iPhones. Even a lower megapixel camera can achieve better photos than alternative Mobile phones on the market with higher pixel count as it leverages the advanced features of the NPU.
It’s still early days to see how these new chips will be used as it takes time for developers to utilise the features, but in time we will see. For now the foundation is in place for some remarkable technologies.
ULTIMATELY THE CHIP IS PROMISING
Higher efficiency
Lower power consumption
Expansive technology (AI)
Something to think about if you are planning on buying a new laptop next year.