In November last year, Intel introduced the Core Ultra (Meteor Lake) processor tailored for AI PCs, integrating for the first time a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) designed for AI workloads, further enhancing terminal-side AI efficiency and applications. The total computing power of its CPU+GPU+NPU can reach 34 TOPS. With a CPU+NPU+GPU heterogeneous architecture solution, Core Ultra provides strong local AI computing power for terminals.
Today, Intel announced its upcoming plans to bring the Lunar Lake processor for the next generation of AI PCs in the third quarter, along with some related parameter details.
It will power over 80 new laptop models from more than 20 OEMs, bringing AI performance to Windows 11 AI PCs worldwide. Thanks to the success of the Core Ultra processor and the arrival of Lunar Lake, Intel will deliver over 40 million AI PC processors this year.
Michelle Johnston Holthaus, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Client Computing Group at Intel, stated: "With groundbreaking energy efficiency, reliable compatibility of x86 architecture, and a deeply integrated software stack combining CPU, GPU, and NPU, we will deliver our most competitive solution to date, integrating client hardware and software through Lunar Lake and Windows 11 AI PC."
Lunar Lake is set to feature the new Lion Cove architecture performance cores (P-cores) and Skymont architecture efficiency cores (E-cores), along with an enhanced low-power island. The new NPU will offer over 45 TOPS of computing power, more than four times that of Meteor Lake, meeting the market demand for Windows 11 AI PC capabilities.
In addition to the high-computing power NPU, it will also boast the new Xe 2 architecture GPU, delivering over 60 TOPS of computing power, totaling over 100 TOPS of platform compute power, more than three times that of Meteor Lake.
According to official data, Lunar Lake outperforms the Snapdragon X Elite processor in Stable Diffusion 1.5 with 1.4 times better AI performance, 1.5 times stronger graphics performance compared to Meteor Lake, and stronger core performance than Ryzen 7 8840U and Snapdragon X Elite. Additionally, in the Microsoft Teams application, it consumes 30% less power than Ryzen 7 8840U and 20% less power than Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3.
In addition to Lunar Lake, Arrow Lake, aimed at mobile and desktop platforms, is scheduled to debut in the fourth quarter of this year, and its presence is expected to be seen at the upcoming Computex.
Furthermore, in the realm of AI ecosystem development, Intel has stated that the comprehensive advancement of AI requires robust software infrastructure and hardware innovation. As part of the AI PC Accelerator Program, Intel continues to collaborate with over 100 ISVs to enhance AI PC experiences in personal assistants, audio effects, content creation, gaming, security, streaming, video collaboration, and more.
Based on the current information available, the all-new Lunar Lake showcases a significant leap in AI computing power compared to its predecessors, providing stronger local computing power for AI applications.
It is anticipated that at the Computex Taipei Computer Show, Intel will reveal more information about Lunar Lake. Apart from the substantial increase in AI computing power, the lower power consumption and enhanced integrated graphics performance are also noteworthy aspects to watch.
