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But what exactly is an NPU?

How does an NPU accelerate AI tasks?

Intel Core Ultra �Meteor Lake� mobile processors

Intel Core “Meteor Lake” processors feature NPUs.

More importantly, what can NPUs do for you?

We’ll cover all of that.

Keeping a processor from getting overtaxed is vital as this determines how smoothly a computer can run.

Intel Core Ultra processor with NPU

Intel Core “Meteor Lake” processors feature NPUs.

GPUs are the heavy lifters here, specifically designed to render complex imagery for video editing and gaming tasks.

We’ll be seeing more and more NPUs in processors going forward.

Additionally, Qualcomm has been working with NPUs for years and is ahead of the competition in this way.

Robot butler holding an Intel Core i5 CPU and an NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU.

CPUs, GPUs, and NPUs are all important to a system’s operation.

Qualcomm has alreadydemonstrated how powerful this chip is against the Apple MacBook Pro.

You might be able to perform video editing functions via AI faster than ever before.

Or perhaps additional AI filters and options will be available in your most-used programs.

Intel CPU with motherboard socket

This could open up several new possibilities withgaming handheldsas well.

NPU FAQ

What is an NPU processor in PCs and laptops?

A Neural Processing Unit (NPU) is specifically designed to perform AI tasks faster than GPUs and CPUs.

Snapdragon X Elite

The Snapdragon X Elite features an NPU.

What is machine learning and how it is different from deep learning?

Is NPU better than GPU?

GPUs are specifically designed to render complex imagery to handle tasks like video editing and gaming.

Snapdragon X Elite benchmarks

Qualcomm demonstrated the Snapdragon X Elite’s power by benchmarking it against Apple Macbook Pro laptops.

What can I use an NPU for?

What does NPU stand for?

NPU stands for Neural Processing Unit.

Midjourney prompt: Two robots of equal size facing each other.

An NPU can help make a system run far more efficiently.

An NPU is an AI chip that performs AI tasks faster than GPUs and CPUs.

Is an NPU helpful for gaming laptops?

The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo (B2HMG) with Intel Core Ultra 9 285H inside.

AMD Ryzen 7 8700G

Dell XPS 14 (9440) for 2024

Intel AI PC display at MWC Barcelona 2025

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The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo (B2HMG) with Intel Core Ultra 9 285H inside.

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NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition power adapter in box

Asus Rog Zephyrus G14 Ryzen

Renderings of the 50th Anniversary Exclusive Microsoft Surface Laptop.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang addresses participants at the keynote of CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 6, 2025.

Xbox controller with WD-40

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