Intel’s 1st Gen Core Ultra Meteor Lake Outperforms AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPUs in Ultra Low Power

Intel's 1st Gen Core Ultra Meteor Lake processors outperform AMD's Ryzen 7000 CPUs in ultra-low power scenarios, thanks to improvements in E-core architecture, node shrink, and scheduler optimizations.

The 1st Gen Core Ultra Meteor Lake processors outperform AMD's Ryzen 7000 CPUs in ultra-low power scenarios.
The E-cores in the Meteor Lake processors have significant improvements thanks to the node shrink to Intel 4 and optimizations made to the scheduler.
The Crestmont E-cores deliver comparable performance to their P counterparts while consuming roughly half the power, making them a more efficient option for consumer PCs.

Intel’s 1st Gen Core Ultra Meteor Lake processors are stirring up the tech world, outperforming AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPUs in ultra-low power scenarios. Intel’s Efficiency cores (E-Cores) have often been criticized for their lack of power efficiency and negative impact on gaming performance. However, with the introduction of the 1st Gen Core Ultra Meteor Lake processors, Intel seems to have addressed these concerns.

The E-cores in the Meteor Lake processors, codenamed “Crestmont,” share architectural similarities with Gracemont. However, thanks to the node shrink to Intel 4 and optimizations made to the scheduler, these E-cores showcase significant improvements. Benchmark tests conducted by David Huang reveal that the Meteor Lake E-cores have finally managed to surpass AMD’s Ryzen 7 7840U (Zen 4) at 5W and below.

While the TDP of these chips is 28W, the fact that they outperform their AMD counterparts in efficiency justifies the inclusion of E-cores in consumer PCs. The Crestmont E-cores deliver comparable performance to their P counterparts (Redwood Cove) while consuming roughly half the power. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as they outshine the 13th Gen Raptor Lake and AMD’s Zen 4 core in terms of efficiency.

It’s worth noting that the LP E-cores located on the SoC die are optimized for running specific workloads at ultra-low power rather than general applications. These LP E-cores are slightly less power efficient compared to the E and P cores but excel in tasks such as audio/video playback, word processing, and streaming without waking the compute die.

Intel’s investments in improving power efficiency and gaming performance have paid off with the 1st Gen Core Ultra Meteor Lake processors. The advancements in architecture, node shrink, and scheduler optimizations have allowed Intel to finally surpass AMD in ultra-low power scenarios. This breakthrough is a significant step forward for Intel and sets the stage for even more impressive advancements in the future.

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Background Information

About AMD: AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

About Intel: Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

Technology Explained

E-Cores: E-Cores (Efficiency Cores) are a type of technology used in the computer industry to provide a more efficient and reliable way of powering and cooling computer components. They are made up of a combination of copper and aluminum, and are designed to be more efficient than traditional copper cores. E-Cores are used in a variety of applications, such as in CPUs, GPUs, and other computer components. They are also used in servers, laptops, and other electronic devices. The technology is designed to reduce heat and power consumption, while also providing a more reliable and efficient way of powering and cooling computer components.

SoC: A System-on-Chip (SoC) is a highly integrated semiconductor device that encapsulates various electronic components, including processors, memory, input/output interfaces, and often specialized hardware components, all on a single chip. SoCs are designed to provide a complete computing system or subsystem within a single chip package, offering enhanced performance, power efficiency, and compactness. They are commonly used in a wide range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to embedded systems and IoT devices, streamlining hardware complexity and facilitating efficient integration of multiple functions onto a single chip.