Intel Unveils Meteor Lake-PS Architecture with Core Ultra Processor and Intel Arc GPU

Intel has unveiled the Meteor Lake-PS architecture featuring the first Core Ultra processor on an LGA socket, integrating the Intel Arc GPU and a neural processing unit. These processors aim to enable generative AI and handle demanding graphics workloads for various sectors, offering up to 5.02x superior image classification inference performance compared to the 14th Gen Core desktop processors. The new desktop Intel Meteor Lake chips are expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2024, coinciding with the expected launch of Arrow Lake desktop CPUs. At the Intel Vision 2024 event, Intel also introduced the Gaudi 3 AI accelerator, which outperforms Nvidia's H100 by up to 50% in various tasks and will be available to OEMs in the second quarter of 2024.

Key Takeaways

• Intel unveils Meteor Lake-PS architecture for edge systems with the first Core Ultra processor on an LGA socket, integrating Intel Arc GPU and neural processing unit for generative AI and demanding graphics workloads.
• Core Ultra processors offer up to 5.02x superior image classification inference performance compared to the 14th Gen Core desktop processors, designed for low-power, always-on usage scenarios with a Thermal Design Power lower than 65W.
• The desktop LGA1851 socket supports 5600MHz DDR5 memory, two PCIe Gen4 SSDs, and four Thunderbolt 4 devices, with the new desktop Intel Meteor Lake chips expected in the fourth quarter of 2024.
• Intel introduces Gaudi 3 AI accelerator as a direct competitor to Nvidia's H100, showcasing faster training and inference performance on leading GenAI models, with 4x AI compute for BF16, 1.5x memory bandwidth increase, and 2x networking bandwidth compared to Gaudi 2.
• Gaudi 3, manufactured on a 5nm process, features 64 AI-custom and programmable TPCs and eight MMEs capable of 64,000 parallel operations, set to be available to OEMs in the second quarter of 2024, emphasizing price performance and system scalability in the GenAI market.

Analysis

Intel's unveiling of the Meteor Lake-PS architecture and the Gaudi 3 AI accelerator will have a significant impact on the AI and graphics industry. The integration of the Core Ultra processor, Intel Arc GPU, and neural processing unit will enable generative AI and handle demanding graphics workloads. This will likely challenge Nvidia's dominance in the AI market and shift the competitive landscape. The superior performance and advanced features of these new products are expected to attract OEMs and consumers. In the short term, this release may lead to increased competition and innovation in the market, while in the long term, it could reshape the dynamics of the AI and graphics processing industry.

Did You Know?

• LGA Socket and Core Ultra Processor:

  • Intel has unveiled the Meteor Lake-PS architecture, which features the first Core Ultra processor on an LGA socket. This processor integrates the Intel Arc GPU and a neural processing unit, aimed at enabling generative AI and handling demanding graphics workloads for various sectors.

• DDR5 Memory and PCIe Gen4 SSDs:

  • The desktop LGA1851 socket supports 5600MHz DDR5 memory, two PCIe Gen4 SSDs, and four Thunderbolt 4 devices. These features are designed to accommodate the high-performance capabilities of the new desktop Intel Meteor Lake chips, which are expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2024.

• Gaudi 3 AI Accelerator and Nvidia H100:

  • Intel has introduced the Gaudi 3 AI accelerator, which is set to be a direct competitor to Nvidia's H100. It showcases faster training and inference performance on leading GenAI models, with significant improvements in AI compute, memory bandwidth, and networking bandwidth compared to its predecessor, Gaudi 2.