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AMD (AMD) introduces the world’s first desktop processor with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU), bringing the AI PC race to the world of desktop computers at CES 2024.
The NPU in AMD’s next Ryzen 8000G series chips, which hit the market on January 31st, is designed to handle AI-based tasks on desktop computers without sending data to the cloud. .
Apple (AAPL) already offers a dedicated Neural Engine for its M line of Mac laptop and desktop processors, but AMD says it’s the first to include a dedicated NPU in an x86 desktop chip. That’s what it means. Apple’s chips are based on ARM processors.
The AI PC revolution is seen as the next major growth area for the PC industry, as manufacturers and developers lean into a massive explosion of interest in AI following the debut of ChatGPT in 2022. AMD, Intel (INTC), and Qualcomm (QCOM) have already announced their own laptop chips with AI capabilities, but AMD is the first to bring it to the desktop.
However, the specific impact this will have on consumers is still largely unknown. Sure, there are some programs that take advantage of the neural engines available in AI PCs, but chipmakers rely on providing developers with a suite of applications to test their NPUs.
According to the chipmaker, the onboard NPU allows generative AI applications to run on the device rather than in the cloud. This means that the data does not have to be sent to a third-party company’s servers and is kept securely on its own systems, rather than being used to train that company’s AI systems. .
Cloud-based AI services may also require a fee to process some requests, whereas onboard AI programs do not.
It’s not just chip makers. Ahead of CES, Microsoft (MSFT) announced that the company and its PC partners will be introducing a dedicated Copilot button to Windows laptop and desktop keyboards. In his first major change to the Windows keyboard in 30 years, the Copilot button summons his Copilot AI assistant built into Windows.
In addition to the Ryzen 8000 series NPU, AMD says the chip also features the world’s fastest integrated desktop graphics processor. This means you’ll be able to play games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Far Cry 6 at frame rates of over 60 frames per second.
However, the caveat here is that you should choose the high-end Ryzen 7 8700G version of the chip, which has a built-in Radeon 780M GPU, and set the gaming performance to low at 1080p resolution.
If you’re a serious gamer, we recommend purchasing a dedicated graphics card separately. But the fact that you can run these games on an integrated GPU is still impressive.
The new chips are the latest attack on rival Intel as it seeks to rebuild and regain market share lost to AMD.
AMD stock had risen 122% in the past 12 months as of Friday’s close. Intel’s stock price rose just 70% over the same period. However, neither chipmaker can match Nvidia’s (NVDA) performance. The company’s stock price soared 244% last year.
daniel howley I’m the technology editor at Yahoo Finance. He has been covering the technology industry since his 2011. You can follow him on Twitter. @Daniel Howley.
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