Intel’s CEO Pat Gelsinger showcased the Lunar Lake computer, Intel’s upcoming pro-level chip, during the Vision 2024 event. He highlighted that this chip delivers over 100 TOPS of performance in AI workloads, with a significant portion of 45 TOPS attributed solely to the NPU. This achievement surpasses Intel’s current-generation cards by threefold and aligns with the 45 TOPS NPU benchmark discussed at the AI Summit in Taipei as a requirement for next-gen AI laptops. Additionally, Intel executives, during a Q&A session with Tom’s Hardware, revealed that components of Microsoft’s Copilot will soon be compatible with Windows PCs.
Intel’s latest Meteor Lake chips, in contrast, offer only 10 TOPS of NPU performance, falling short of the standard for future AI PCs. The Lunar Lake chip’s 45 TOPS from the NPU meets this benchmark precisely. While specific details about the distribution of the remaining 55+ TOPS across the CPU and GPU were not disclosed by Gelsinger, it is reasonable to expect around 50 to 10 TOPS from the GPU and 5 to 10 FLOPS from the CPU cores.
On the other hand, AMD’s current-gen Ryzen Hawk Point program features an NPU delivering 16 TOPS of performance, which also falls below the expected performance level for next-gen AI PCs. However, AMD hinted at significant advancements in their upcoming products, particularly the ‘Strix Point’ mobile processors with XDNA 2 architecture. These processors are projected to offer up to three times the generative AI performance of the current generation, positioning AMD as a strong contender in the AI PC market.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips are set to make a significant impact, boasting Arm chips with 45 TOPS of performance expected to be released midway through the year. This move positions Qualcomm in direct competition with industry giants like Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm to lead the next generation of AI PCs.
Intel’s Core Ultra Meteor Lake chips have already gained traction in the market. Gelsinger reported that Intel has shipped 40 million units of AI PCs by the year’s end, with five million units already delivered. This progress aligns with Intel’s ambitious target of shipping 100 million AI PC chips by the end of 2025.
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Lunar Lake closeup (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
