Intel Core Ultra processors with integrated neural processing unit are launching on Dec 14th

At Intel Innovation 2023, Intel announced the upcoming Intel Core Ultra processors, code-named Meteor Lake. This new generation of Intel Core processor features Intel’s largest client architectural shift in 40 years. It is the first client processor manufactured on the new Intel 4 process node using its 3D high-performance hybrid architecture, and the first client tile-based design enabled by Foveros packaging technology and features CPU, GPU and NPU.

The new Intel Core Ultra processors, code-named Meteor Lake, features Intel’s first integrated neural processing unit, or NPU, for power-efficient AI acceleration and local inference on the PC. Core Ultra also brings discrete-level graphics performance with integrated Intel Arc graphics.

According to Intel, Core Ultra’s architecture delivers a balance of performance and power across AI-driven tasks:

• The GPU has performance parallelism and throughput, ideal for AI infused in media, 3D applications and the render pipeline.
• The NPU is a dedicated low-power AI engine for sustained AI and AI offload.
• The CPU has a fast response ideal for lightweight, single-inference low-latency AI tasks.

“Intel expects to ship tens of millions of new AI-enabled PCs into the market in 2024 and later scaling to hundreds of millions of units,” said Intel CEO Pat.