Intel has unveiled its latest generation of Core Ultra laptop chips, claiming a comprehensive edge over Qualcomm’s flagship X Elite chip in terms of CPU, GPU, and AI capabilities. The announcement comes amidst Intel’s ongoing controversy over decontenting and a significant downturn in the U.S. chip stock sector.
Background and Context
The release of Intel’s Core Ultra 200V series chips, consisting of 9 models, marks a significant shift in the company’s product strategy. Known for its i5 and i7 processors, Intel has now adopted a uniform 8-core (4 performance cores + 4 efficiency cores) design for this product line. The chips’ main differentiators are variations in CPU maximum turbo frequencies, GPU core counts, and NPU engine numbers.
The New Chips
The standout feature of the new generation of chips is the integration of memory directly into the chip, offering consumers only two options: 16GB and 32GB. Additionally, Intel has omitted hyper-threading technology, making these chips 8-core 8-thread.
The product naming system for the chips is straightforward: the first 2 represents the second generation of Core Ultra chips, the second digit denotes the processor frequency tier, and the third digit, either 6 or 8, corresponds to the two memory levels available.
Flagship Performance
During the launch event, Intel highlighted the performance of its旗舰 chip, the Ultra 9 288V. In multi-thread performance and power consumption curves, this chip can match Apple’s M3, and under the same performance conditions, it consumes 40% less power than Qualcomm’s X Elite flagship chip, the X1E-80-100.
However, as Intel’s own charts reveal, under high-power conditions, the 8-thread Ultra 9 288V still falls short of previous generations of Intel chips and AMD’s 12-core 24-thread HX 370. This positions the chip more accurately as a champion in low-power domains.
Graphics and AI Performance
In terms of graphics, Intel claims that its chips outperform Qualcomm’s flagship AI PC chips by 68% in frame rates at 1080p medium settings. Additionally, many games that cannot run on Qualcomm chips can be played smoothly on Intel’s new chips. Whether using a high-end lightweight laptop for gaming is a false demand is a matter of personal perspective.
Intel also boasts that with its XeSS super-resolution technology, the chip can achieve a frame rate of 45fps in Cyberpunk: 2077.
In AI performance comparisons, Intel also claims superiority over Qualcomm’s competitor.
Market Response and Future Prospects
The launch of Intel’s new chips comes as the company faces competition from Qualcomm and AMD in the AI PC market. The first laptops equipped with the new chips from brands like Dell and Asus are set to enter the public review phase soon, offering a clearer picture of their real-world performance.
Technology media outlet The Verge notes that earlier tests of new computers from Qualcomm and AMD did not live up to their marketing claims. AMD’s chips failed to surpass Apple, and Qualcomm’s chips, while good for battery life, were not suitable for gaming.
The biggest question for Intel’s new chips is whether they can maintain high performance while running on battery power. Intel has also revealed that the initial launch will not include Microsoft Copilot Plus AI features, which will be available as a free update starting in November.
For consumers who need more than 8 cores, rumors suggest that Intel will release the next-generation Arrow Lake chips in October, catering to users who require larger memory, more cores, and threads.
Conclusion
Intel’s latest move to launch the Core Ultra 200V series chips is a bold statement in the AI PC market. With claims of outperforming Qualcomm’s flagship chip and a focus on low-power performance, Intel aims to reclaim its position as a leader in the industry. However, as with any new technology, the true test will come from real-world usage and consumer feedback. Stay tuned for the upcoming reviews and updates on these new chips.
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