Intel Unveils Processors to Usher in ‘First Enthusiast Desktop AI PCs’
Intel recently announced the new Intel Core Ultra 200S series processors, with up to 24 cores clocked at a maximum of 5.7 GHz, designed for enthusiast-class AI desktop PCs.
New Intel Core Ultra 200S series enthusiast processors with AI capabilities and reduced power consumption.
The new Core Ultra 200S series, code-named Arrow Lake, combines an overclockable CPU, NPU, and GPU to bring capabilities not previously possible to the enthusiast-level personal computer. According to Intel, the new CPUs promise equal or better performance to chips with the previous-generation architecture at half the power consumption.
AI and Low Power Consumption in a Desktop Processor
Artificial intelligence (AI) processing and high-end gaming are notorious for their power consumption, which Intel has addressed in the new processors. Intel has added AI to the desktop processors while reducing CPU and integrated GPU power consumption. The new CPU series includes a built-in 13 TOPS neural processing unit (NPU) and upgraded integrated graphics processing.
New features of the Intel Ultra 200S series.
The chipset-architecture processors come equipped with up to eight performance cores (P-cores) that can run at up to 5.7 GHz and up to 16 efficiency cores (E-cores) that can run at up to 4.6 GHz. The Intel Thread Detector driver uses the operating system (OS) scheduler to intelligently distribute workloads to the appropriate cores. The P-core/E-core architecture, along with the Thread Detector, promotes efficient operation, allowing the lower-power E-core to manage many of the housekeeping processes that would otherwise take away from performance computing needs.
NPUs are designed to accelerate AI processing by performing parallel matrix multiplication, convolution, and fast data handling. When combined with a conventional CPU and GPU, AI tasks can be sent to a different optimized processor core based on the type of operation required.
Chipset and Accessories
The Intel Ultra 200S series (product brief linked) includes a new chipset, the Intel 800 series, and upgraded I/O and accessory capabilities. The I/O platform delivers the capabilities needed in modern gaming and content creation workstations.
Core 200S Ultra series comparison.
Some of these capabilities include:
- Up to 24 PCIe 4.0
- Up to four eSPI
- Up to 10 USB 3.2 (five with a 20-G option, 10 with a 10-G option, and 10 with a 5G-option)
- Up to 14 USB 2.0
- Up to eight SATA 3.0
The CPU and chipset come with up to 48 total PCIe lanes and 20 PCIe 5.0. The CPU and chipset support Thunderbolt 4 and 5, including PC t PC screen, and peripheral and storage sharing. They support the latest wireless standards, including Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 and 5.4, and Ethernet at 1 GbE and 2.5 GbE. The CPUs provide up to 192-GB main memory capacity consisting of DDR5-6400 in two channels. For those hoping to squeeze the most performance possible out of the new chips, they come with a set of software tools for tuning and optimizing clock speed over different sections of the system.
Developed for Gaming and Content Creation
Power consumption was once a key feature in laptops but less important for desktop systems. However, today’s processors, memory, SSDs, and GPUs consume far more power than ever. Even with a power cord directly plugged into a wall outlet, these systems are bumping up against power limits. Compared to Intel's last gaming CPUs, the new Ultra 200S series consumes between 34 W and 165 W less power while running popular top-tier games.
While some AI functionality must be run in the data center, more and more can be processed in the local computer. PC computing, or desktop edge computing, is now getting its AI due. Content creation software is an area of interest for enthusiasts who can benefit greatly from Intel’s new NPU. AI image and video editing and generation tools will also benefit from the NPU and GPU combination in the new processors.
