Intel has announced that its next-generation processor, Lunar Lake, will be released earlier than expected, with the official shipments scheduled for the third quarter. The processor is expected to have a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) performance of 45 TOPS. However, there is some concern within the industry as Intel has decided to strictly control the memory specifications of the chip, offering only 16GB and 32GB options, which has disrupted the supply chain and upset PC manufacturers.
Despite these concerns, 20 brands are planning to launch 80 models with the Lunar Lake processor, and the combined shipments of Metro Lake and Lunar Lake units for this year are estimated to reach 40 million. Lunar Lake’s design integrates LPDDR5x memory into a single package, focusing on low power consumption.
On the other hand, Microsoft has unveiled its next-generation AI PCs featuring a more powerful AI assistant called Copilot, along with new features. These AI PCs utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processors with Arm architecture and a neural processing engine (NPE) specifically designed for AI applications, providing 45 TOPS of performance. In comparison to Apple’s latest MacBook with the M3 chip, Microsoft’s AI PCs offer a 58% speed increase and longer battery life.
Intel’s Lunar Lake processor is said to surpass 100 TOPS in total performance, with the NPU alone exceeding 45 TOPS, nearly three times more than the previous generation. The combined computing power of the CPU and GPU is expected to exceed 60 TOPS, making it the second processor qualified for Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC platform.
However, Intel’s decision to bundle memory with its Ultra 5/7/9 processors has raised concerns among industry insiders. The high-end Ultra 9 processor will come with 32GB of memory, while the Ultra 5 and Ultra 7 will have 16GB and 32GB options, respectively. This approach limits the flexibility of PC brands to customize specifications and excludes memory manufacturers from the decision-making process.
Looking ahead, AMD is preparing to launch its next-generation AI processors, the Strix Point series, with the Strix Point processor expected to have AI processing power exceeding 50 TOPS. Additionally, an APU called Strix Halo is set to be released by the end of the year with performance surpassing 60 TOPS, positioning AMD as a major player in AI computing power.
In conclusion, Intel’s advancements in AI processors with Lunar Lake and AMD’s upcoming Ryzen series highlight the competitive landscape in the semiconductor industry. The control over memory specifications and the focus on AI performance are shaping the future of PC technology, while industry players navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by these developments.
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https://www.trendforce.com/news/2024/05/22/news-intels-lunar-lake-bundled-memory-reportedly-causes-uproar-in-the-pc-supply-chain/