Intel launches next generation Core Ultra mobile processors for AI-PCs

Intel launched the Core Ultra series of mobile processors for AI-PCs at its "AI Everywhere" event held on December 14th. The company also unveiled the 5th generation of Xeon processors and offered a sneak peek at the Gaudi3 AI Accelerator, designed for large-scale generative AI models (think ChatGPT/Dall-E), set to launch next year. Here are the key details regarding the next-gen processors. 

Intel Core Ultra processor features

The new Intel Core Ultra processors are part of the Meteor Lake lineup and are built on Intel's 4 technology( a 7nm architecture), succeeding the current Core-i series of processors. The new processor series comprises the Intel Core Ultra 5, Core Ultra 7, and Core Ultra 9.

• Intel claims that the new architecture with Performance-core (P-core) and Efficiency-cores (E-cores) will deliver improved instructions per cycle (IPC), boasting up to an 11% increase over the competition.
• The Core Ultra processors claims to offer twice the graphical performance with the built-in octa-core Intel Arc GPU.
• Intel's new NPU, named AI Boost, is dedicated to handling longer-running AI workloads at low power and claims 2.5x better power efficiency than the previous generation.
• The Core Ultra processors will also power Intel Evo edition laptops, boasting enhanced power efficiency and improved cooling performance.
• The company claims the new gen processors to be the most efficient x86 processors for Ultra-thin systems.

Intel Core Ultra processor availability

The new Intel Core Ultra mobile processors are available globally on-shelf and online starting December 14. The processors will power more than 230 of the world's first AI PCs from partners including Acer, ASUS, Dell, Dynabook, Gigabyte, Google Chromebook, HP, Lenovo, LG, Microsoft Surface, MSI and Samsung.

Intel Xeon processor features

Intel also introduced the 5th Gen Intel Xeon processor family during the event, bringing about significant improvements in performance and efficiency. 

• Intel claims that the 5th generation processors deliver a 21 percent average performance gain for general compute performance and enable a 36 percent higher average performance per watt across a range of customer workloads compared to the previous generation.
• For customers adhering to a typical five-year refresh cycle and upgrading from older generations, there is a potential reduction in their cost of ownership by up to 77 percent.
  

Intel also unveiled some details about the Gaudi3 AI accelerator, set to launch next year. For the first time, Intel showcased the next-generation AI accelerator designed for deep learning and large-scale generative AI models (such as ChatGPT and Dall-E). With the ever-growing demand for generative AI, Intel anticipates capturing a larger portion of the accelerator market in 2024 with its suite of AI accelerators led by Gaudi3.