Intel
Intel is hit a braggy milestone withArrow Lake - S , its upcoming desktop processor . After all , those poker chip will be the first single to feature aneural processing unit ( NPU)in a desktop PC . However , impressive as the milepost might be , the CPU itself will be far from an AI workhorse . In fact , the NPU may be nowhere near being able to qualify for Microsoft ’s Copilot+ microcomputer program . The good news ? It really does n’t matter .
Before we dive in , it ’s deserving noting that Intel is yet to confirm the specs for Arrow Lake - S. However , Jaykihn on X ( formerly Twitter)shared a inclination of various specs that are bruit to appear in the processors . This admit the trillion operations per 2d ( tip ) counts for the GPU , the CPU , and the NPU . That ’s where thing get a bit dicey .
Intel
accord to the leakage , the NPU will feature a measly 13 top of AI carrying out . For comparison , Intel Lunar Lake CPUs , found only in laptops , provide 45 TOPS , while AMD’sRyzen AI 300series bumps that bit up to 50 top . Both qualify for theMicrosoft Copilot+certification , which call for at least 40 TOPS . Why , then , would Intel loose a next - gen ware with a small over a one-quarter of the AI carrying out it already enclose in laptops ?
It ’s round-eyed : Those NPU TOPS are n’t really necessitate in a screen background — at least not now . AsTom ’s Hardwarepoints out , NPUs are meant to handle AI and machine learning workloads while have piffling impact on the battery . That ’s why we ’re seeing these gamey TOPS counts in NPUs in the main found in ultralight workstation laptops . Seeing as barrage life is not a headache for a desktop user , one bounteous intellect to even have an NPU in the first space is out .
Collection of various small improvements / changes shipping with Arrow Lake -S.
All specification are “ up to ” , except for TOPS , which may outperform the list act on the retail product.pic.twitter.com/EyAxyFVZMf
& mdash ; Jaykihn ( @jaykihn0)July 9 , 2024
Then , there are other factors . Desktop PCsthat are meant to handle AI workload should just be fit with a distinct GPU , which may be a better alternative for handling AI anyways . Nvidia ’s RTX 4090 features up to 1,321 AI TOPS , which excuse why it ’s still so expensive closely two years after launch . The current need for AI drives both AI laptop computer and desktop GPUs .
Even if Intel were to equip the Arrow Lake - S with a more open NPU , it ’d be useless compared to a distinct GPU from Nvidia ’s latest multiplication . It does n’t even have to be the RTX 4090 ; a cheaper GPU will still operate circles around any sort of NPU .
It feels like , if these specs are true , Intel will be capable to slap a label on Arrow Lake - S and speak about experience the first desktop NPU for consumer — even if it has small encroachment on actual AI workloads . finally , if the CPUs had to boast an NPU , it ’s for the good that the NPU is n’t great , as there would be very few scenario where you could take advantage of a 45 top NPU in a desktop setting anyway .
It does , however , forget a question marker over certain features , such as thenow - stay Recall . The feature has so far been exclusive to Copilot+ PC , though you have to assume Microsoft will one day regard bringing it to desktop if it turns out to be a success .
