What’s an NPU? In the event you’ve been following the most recent PC {hardware} launches, you’ve in all probability heard a brand new acronym popping up alongside CPU and GPU: NPU, or Neural Processing Unit. Each Intel and AMD are actually integrating NPUs into their latest processors, and trade consultants are calling them some of the vital additions to the PC in many years. However what precisely is an NPU, and why must you take into account it when planning your subsequent construct?
What’s an NPU?
An NPU is a specialised processor designed to speed up AI and machine studying workloads. Whereas CPUs deal with normal computing and GPUs excel at parallel processing, NPUs are optimized for the distinctive mathematical operations that energy fashionable AI functions—issues like pure language processing, picture recognition, and predictive modeling. At this time’s NPUs should not separate elements, however relatively built-in into the processor alongside the CPU. They’re primarily meant to speed up native AI processes and options relatively than complicated native AI fashions, although there’s some software there too.
Intel’s Method: Core Extremely with NPU
Intel’s Core Extremely processors have been the primary mainstream chips to incorporate an built-in NPU. Named Intel AI Enhance. Intel’s built-in NPU focuses on accelerating Home windows AI options equivalent to background blur in video calls, real-time transcription, and AI-powered instruments in Workplace and Adobe Inventive Cloud. The massive benefit: these duties run natively on the chip, as a substitute of offloading to the cloud, saving bandwidth and enhancing responsiveness.
AMD’s Take: Ryzen AI
AMD has entered the NPU race with Ryzen AI, debuting in its Ryzen 9000 sequence desktop processors and cellular chips. Powered by the XDNA structure (from AMD’s Xilinx acquisition), Ryzen AI emphasizes effectivity and suppleness, significantly for on-device generative AI duties.
AMD can also be carefully aligned with Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC initiative, guaranteeing that Ryzen AI-equipped programs are optimized for AI-powered options throughout Home windows {and professional} software program suites. You’ll begin to see extra Copilot+ PCs this yr and into 2026.
Comparability: Intel vs AMD NPUs
Right here’s a side-by-side have a look at the present state of NPUs from the 2 main gamers:
Function
Intel Core Extremely (Meteor Lake / Lunar Lake)
AMD Ryzen AI (Ryzen 9000 Collection)
Structure
Devoted NPU, built-in into CPU package deal
XDNA structure (from Xilinx FPGA tech)
Goal Use Circumstances
Home windows AI options, video conferencing, productiveness apps
Generative AI, content material creation, skilled workflows
Efficiency Focus
Balanced AI acceleration with robust energy effectivity
Increased flexibility, optimized for AI inference
Ecosystem
Deep Microsoft integration; Adobe/Workplace AI options
Copilot+ PC compatibility; artistic software program optimizations
Type Elements
Cell and desktop
Cell and desktop
Why You Might Want an NPU in Your Subsequent Construct
An NPU isn’t only a gimmick—it’s changing into important for contemporary PCs. Right here’s why:
Efficiency Effectivity – Frees the CPU/GPU for different workloads.
Decrease Energy Utilization – Runs AI duties with much less vitality, extending battery life, lowering energy draw.
Future-Proofing – Main software program distributors are baking AI into their functions. Techniques with out NPUs will really feel dated sooner.
Closing Ideas
The inclusion of NPUs in each Intel and AMD processors marks a turning level for private computing. Simply as GPUs reworked how we deal with graphics and later information computation with applied sciences like CUDA, NPUs will reshape how PCs course of AI-driven duties.
In the event you’re planning a brand new system in 2025, selecting a CPU with a devoted NPU—whether or not Intel’s Core Extremely or AMD’s Ryzen AI—will assist guarantee your construct is prepared for the following wave of PC innovation. Get one in our gaming or workstation classes now.
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This content material was written by the skilled Velocity Micro employees.