Intel Core Ultra 2 Processors Launched: AI Efficiency, Performance, and Battery Life Tested
Zenbook S14
Image Source: ASUS
Intel’s much-anticipated Lunar Lake platform is finally here, bringing the second generation of Core Ultra chips to market. These processors promise improved performance and AI efficiency, with laptops like the Asus Zenbook S14 now equipped with Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V. The series was developed as a follow-up to the Meteor Lake platform and includes advanced neural processing units (NPUs) that are designed to handle AI tasks more efficiently than their predecessors.
The Core Ultra 2: AI and Performance Overview
The Core Ultra series made its initial debut in late 2023 with Meteor Lake, emphasizing onboard NPUs for AI processing. With Lunar Lake, Intel aims to boost AI capabilities even further, claiming higher trillions of operations per second (TOPS) capacity, making it more adept at AI workloads. These NPUs are tailored to handle background AI tasks like video enhancements and audio processing, while freeing up the CPU for other applications, from web browsing to creative software.
Source: Intel
Performance Review: How Does It Stack Up?
PCMag recently benchmarked the Core Ultra 2 platform using the Asus Zenbook S14 with a Core Ultra 7 258V chip. They tested a range of productivity, multimedia, and AI applications, finding that while the processor performed competently in typical tasks like web browsing, word processing, and image editing, its AI capabilities offered the most promise. The AI benchmarks showed significant NPU gains, although some results were still mixed due to the complexity of AI benchmarking across different platforms.
Graphics: Still Some Room for Improvement
While the Lunar Lake processors have stepped up AI capabilities, graphics performance remains a work in progress. Tests using the 3DMark suite showed that integrated graphics are still limited compared to systems with discrete GPUs. For everyday graphics tasks, these processors perform adequately, but heavier gaming or professional 3D work will require a more powerful GPU. Intel, however, has managed to narrow the performance gap between Lunar Lake and entry-level Nvidia RTX 4050 GPUs, showing some progress in graphics efficiency.
Battery Life: A Key Selling Point
One of the standout features of the Lunar Lake platform is its battery life. PCMag’s battery rundown test found that the Zenbook S14, powered by the Core Ultra 7 258V, lasted nearly 24 hours, setting a new benchmark among similar laptops. This makes Lunar Lake systems particularly appealing for users seeking lightweight, long-lasting laptops.
What’s Next for Intel and Its Competitors?
Lunar Lake is just the start of Intel's efforts to improve AI capabilities in consumer laptops, and more Core Ultra 2-based laptops are expected to be released soon. Competition in this field is intensifying, with AMD’s upcoming Strix Point processors and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon CPUs emerging as major contenders. As the AI race continues, users can expect evolving benchmarks and performance metrics that will reveal more about Lunar Lake's real-world impact.
Source: PCmag
