What are Intel Core Ultra Processors?
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The growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is often a headline stealer, but more sophisticated manufacturing and techniques are also helping make existing technology more efficient. The new Intel® Core™ Ultra processors can leverage both, boosting performance thanks to the innovative new Intel 4 manufacturing process and the latest AI-powered augmentations.
Improved manufacturing means a better standard for hardware performance, while AI provides a dynamic boost to help minimize waste and streamline your workflow. In this article, we’ll talk about the superior architecture of Intel Core Ultra chips and then provide a detailed review of the manufacturing and hardware improvements you can expect.
New architectural innovations
Older CPUs contain fewer cores and typically aren’t sophisticated enough to adapt meaningfully to different situations. That means your CPU treats most situations the same, over-committing on low-priority tasks and struggling when you could use the extra performance. AI can be a big help in this department, but it still requires backup from a more robust CPU architecture.
Intel Core Ultra processor uses a 3D performance hybrid architecture associated with the new Meteor Lake series. Ultra-small components allow room for multithreading and two core microarchitectures in a single CPU, optimizing performance by distributing resources better. That facilitates a more efficient day-to-day computing experience and positions Core Ultra processors for superior performance with more demanding AI applications.
Performance enhancements
The key to those performance boosts is their hybrid-core design, adding a variety of new dedicated core types to help free up bandwidth for more complicated tasks. Performance-cores take the brunt of the damage from heavy-duty applications and demanding tasks, while high and low-power Efficient-cores split up the remaining light duties and background tasks.
Intel Thread Director oversees distribution, while Adaptive Boost provides extra resources to help exceed rated frequency limits when needed. That can be especially useful for gamers and multitaskers, allowing you to sustain multiple complex tasks at once without seeing a noticeable drop in performance.
Expanding chip density
High-tech manufacturing isn’t always at the top of the press release, but the growing abilities of chip manufacturers like Intel have a huge impact on processing power. That ability is traditionally measured in transistor density using the term “nanometers.” While more efficient chips used to feature a smaller number, that isn’t always the case now - which means customers must research more to compare products accurately.
The latest Intel 4 manufacturing techniques offer a 7-nanometer process that uses extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUL) technology to produce higher-density, more efficient chips that beat other options with similar stats. Since the measurement no longer reflects chip performance, Intel has shifted away from the more misleading traditional naming convention.
Discrete-level graphics and AI
Graphics are another major beneficiary of Intel’s new high-density manufacturing process, with an integrated Intel Arc™ GPU that offers a big boost over similar options. That means a much lower tech and budget threshold for performance gaming, lowering the upfront cost of a gaming-ready laptop and expanding access to more demanding titles.
The new chips’ AI features are powered by three distinct engines, adding a new neural processing unit (NPU) to the typical partnership of CPU and GPU. This can be felt in adaptive features for everyday tasks like video calls and audio recording, but also in high-energy gaming situations and when using new tools for content creation.
Deeper connectivity and compatibility
The emphasis on immersion is especially deep, thanks to extensive input/output support and adaptive WiFi for seamless online interactions. It features AV1 encode and decode, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, support for up to four 4K displays simultaneously, and a new digital signal processor (DSP) to improve audio output. Thunderbolt™ 4 technology handles the display support and allows you to manage different peripheral types and charge through the same connection.
You can also count on smooth online gameplay thanks to the latest Intel WiFi 7 and WiFi 6E, as well as Bluetooth 5.4 and 5.3. Intel’s Double Connect Technology also allows for more dynamic gaming, allowing you to operate simultaneously over two WiFi bands while prioritizing gaming traffic on the fastest band. That means a significant increase in download speeds and a more responsive gaming experience for fans of online and multiplayer games.
Improved energy efficiency
One of the biggest gains for devices powered by Intel Core Ultra processors is energy consumption. More efficient design means a smaller footprint, with AI support and new hardware allowing your device to handle more without working up a sweat. Speed Shift Technology also contributes, allowing hardware-based frequency control.
That also means a lower impact at peak performance, so unlocked overclocking allows for optimum performance and easy direct management of your device’s performance benchmarks and thermal profile. Intel’s Speed Optimizer feature can even take on some of the work behind system tuning without conventional overclocking, automatically tuning core frequency, voltage, and more - all from within their customized Extreme Tuning Utility.
Intel Core Ultra Laptops
Though Core Ultra processors’ perks are adaptability and versatility, they set a powerful baseline for specialized configurations. HP already offers several models that use Intel’s new Meteor Lake technology and Core Ultra processors, from a familiar Pavilion build to the new OMEN Transcend laptop for high-performance gaming.
OMEN Transcend 14 for next-gen gaming
Given its importance for performance gaming and demanding tasks, it’s no surprise that the cornerstone of the new OMEN 14 Transcend Gaming Laptop (14t-fb000) is an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor with up to 2TB of storage and 32GB of RAM. It also features a dedicated NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050 graphics card that pairs well with a 2.8K (2880 x 1800) for an immersive portable gaming platform.
Key specifications:
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor (up to 4.8 GHz, 24MB L3 cache, 16 cores, 22 threads)
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU
- Up to 2TB PCIe® NVMe™ TLC M.2 SSD
- Up to 32GB LPDDR5x-7467 RAM
HP Spectre x360 for versatility and content creation
Equipped with a similar Intel Core Ultra 7 115H processor, the HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop (14-eu0098nr) is designed for professionals but well-equipped for hobby gamers and creative work. Alongside the Spectre x360’s durable tablet and laptop work modes, it also features a 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED touch screen with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, Eyesafe®-certified low blue light, and 400 nit brightness.
Key specifications:
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor (up to 4.8 GHz, 24MB L3 cache, 16 cores, 22 threads)
- 14-inch diagonal OLED display with up to 2.8K
- 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe TLC M.2 SSD
- 16GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz RAM
Boost your workflow with HP Pavilion
Designed for customizability and performance, the HP Pavilion Plus Laptop (14t-ew100) offers up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor with a big boost from up to 32GB of RAM. Work, stream, and do everything in between on a 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED display with integrated Intel Arc graphics. It’s even available in three distinct colorways: natural silver, moonlight blue, and tranquil pink.
Key specifications:
- Up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor (up to 4.8 GHz, 24MB L3 cache, 16 cores, 22 threads)
- 14-inch diagonal OLED display with up to 2.8K
- Integrated Intel Arc GPU
- 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Summary
Ever heard of Moore’s law? In a 1965 paper, Intel co-founder Gordon Moore predicted that the maximum number of transistors on a single integrated circuit would double yearly at only a small cost increase. Eventually revised to every two years in 1975, “Moore’s law” has held true since then. While this generation of processor chips is still talked about in nanometer measurements, the next generation will be mapped in angstroms.
Fueled by the constant demand for more portable computing, Intel Core Ultra processors preview the next stage in high-tech laptop design and manufacturing. Built using the new Intel 4 manufacturing process, they’re a closer and closer preview of this upcoming line of futuristic angstrom chips. In the meantime, AI optimization and improved architecture have already allowed a big leap in performance.
Dedicated gamers have a durable hub for years to come with the OMEN Transcend Gaming Laptop (14t-fb000), with enough hardware to make it an easy sub for demanding work tasks and immersive gameplay. The HP Pavilion Plus Laptop (14t-ew100) has tons of options to customize, or you can take advantage of the HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop (14-eu0098nr)’s multiple work modes for maximum comfort and portability across applications.
