Intel Unveils New Data Chips; Set to Rival Nvidia, AMD

Intel has launched new AI-focused chips at the annual Computex event in Taiwan to keep up with rivals Nvidia and AMD.

Intel unveiled the laptop-focused Lunar Lake processor, designed for running workloads on AI PCs and provided a more detailed look at its data center-focused Xeon 6s.

At Computex, Intel also unveiled its latest line of Gaudi accelerators designed specifically to power AI workloads which will directly compete with Nvidia’s H100 GPUs at two-thirds the cost, the company claims.

Intel unveiled new hardware solutions during CEO Pat Gelsinger’s keynote discussion where he talked about Intel accelerating AI everywhere.

“AI is driving one of the most consequential eras of innovation the industry has ever seen,” said Gelsinger. “The magic of silicon is once again enabling exponential advancements in computing that will push the boundaries of human potential and power the global economy for years to come.”

During his keynote, Gelsinger said in the future, every device and every company will be using AI: “AI everywhere will push the boundaries of what’s possible across every human experience.”

The CEO said AI was “at the center '' of the data center level of computing.

During the keynote, Gelsinger showcased Intel’s new data center-focused chips for powering AI workloads, announcing they are now available.

Related:Biden to Award Intel $20B to Advance U.S. Chip Manufacturing

“We see [Xeon 6] as an essential upgrade for the modern data center, a high core count, high density with exceptional performance per watt,” Gelsinger said.

The chips are designed to power training and inferencing large language models and will rival data center hardware from AMD and Nvidia.

“Every data center provider I know is being crushed by how they upgrade and expand their flexibility for high-performance computing as they have more demands for AI,” Gelsinger said. “Having a processor with 144 cores versus 28 cores gives them the ability to both condense as well as to attack new workloads with performance and efficiency never seen before.”

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger holds aloft a Xeon 6 with e-cores chip | Credit: Intel

“IoT and other technologies have opened up more use cases for the edge but not dramatically, Gelsinger said. “We see AI as a gamechanger for the edge. It’s an exploding new value proposition for the edge.” 

The edge application the Intel CEO singled out during his keynote presentation was PC deployments, with Intel looking to take on the likes of AMD and Nvidia with processors capable of running AI workloads in consumer devices.

Gelsinger said AI is the most exciting change to the PC market in 25 years since Wi-Fi.

“We expect that by 2028, 80% of all PCs will be AI PCs,” he said, adding that Intel has already shipped eight million AI PCs since last December.

Related:Intel Develops World's Largest Neuromorphic Computer System for Advancing AI Research

The company’s new Lunar Lake PC chip is up to four times faster running AI workloads on a laptop while running on 40% less power.

Intel says the chips offer 86 times improved power efficiency compared to its previous line of processors. The new chip is split across two separate tiles with computing conducted on one side and security and connectivity on the other. Intel said this split enables Lunar Lake to access data faster and reduce latency when running AI workloads.

The Lunar Lake chips will feature in 80 new laptop units launching later this year.

The new Lunar Lake chip | Credit: Intel

“Intel is one of the only companies in the world innovating across the full spectrum of the AI market opportunity – from semiconductor manufacturing to PC, network, edge and data center systems,” Gelsinger said. “Our latest Xeon, Gaudi and Core Ultra platforms, combined with the power of our hardware and software ecosystem, are delivering the flexible, secure, sustainable and cost-effective solutions our customers need to maximize the immense opportunities ahead.”