Artificial Intelligence (AI) in PCs and laptops is everywhere. In fact, many new laptops released since late in 2023 have AI built in. But AI capabilities are also supported on a select few older laptop models going all the way back to 2019. Whether you already own an AI PC or are thinking of getting one, this guide discusses everything you need to know about this future technology.
What Is AI in PC?
AI in PCs started becoming popular in January 2024. An easy way to define AI PC technology is by saying that it uses special processors and related hardware to make your computer proficient in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Many commercial laptops released in and around 2024 have AI capabilities. These include several laptop models by HP, Dell, Acer, Asus, and Lenovo.
One such example is an AI-powered laptop by HP Spectre x360. This futuristic workstation runs on the latest Intel Core i7-12700h processor. You can find this same HP Spectre x360 in a two-in-one touchscreen version.
Incorporating AI in a computer affects every aspect of its performance. Currently, some of the most popular result areas are:
- Automatic computer monitoring: HP uses a technology called “Smart Sense AI” in Spectre and Envy laptops to control battery, fan, and other components. It can even optimize CPU temperatures.
- AI camera and noise cancelling: the images and videos you take are automatically AI-enhanced.
- Reducing computing workload: AI-based Intel chips come with a feature called “Gaussian & Neural Accelerator.” It reduces workload by running audio-based neural networks at ultra-low power.
- Deep learning capabilities: AI Intel chips have a feature called “Deep Learning Boost (or DL Boost)” to accelerate deep learning several times faster than previous CPU generations.
- High fidelity audio and voice command integration: modern Intel chips can use “Smart Sound Technology” to quickly respond to your wake commands without consuming vital computing resources.
- Chipset integration with PC apps: AMD’s Ryzen AI chipsets are closely integrated with the PC apps from Microsoft, Adobe, OpenAI, Meta, and more. This will support the future AI features of Windows applications.
Good to know: modern PCs have multiple cores. Improve performance by assigning a specific CPU core.
Processor Requirements for AI in PC
The CPU is the most important component to support AI in PC. It doesn’t matter how advanced your remaining computer specs are. Without a processor with AI engine features, you’ll be out of luck.
Currently, there are two big brands going after AI implementation: AMD’s Ryzen, and Intel Core.
1. AMD Ryzen
Many commercial AI processors were launched in January 2024. A notable example is the AMD Ryzen 8000G series. Recently, AMD extended its AI capabilities to its most advanced processor to date, the Ryzen 9000 Zen 5.
The entire 8000 – 9000 Ryzen series has “AMD Ryzen AI” in the specifications. All of them can be quite expensive. This Razer Blade 14-incher was just released in 2024. It supports the most recent Ryzen 8000-series processor, the Ryzen 9 8945HS. This gaming laptop will set you back $2699.
AMD’s AI chips aren’t necessarily this expensive. A few cheaper Ryzen chips launched in 2023 are also AI-capable, such as the Ryzen 7 7840HS, Ryzen 7 7840U, and even a Ryzen “5,” the Ryzen 5 PRO 7640U. At $995, this Acer Nitro gaming laptop supports a Ryzen 7, 7840 HS AI processor, and is fully AI-capable.
2. Intel Core
With Intel Core, the earliest AI processors were introduced around 2019. Intel’s AI capabilities permeate all the way down from Core i9 to Core i3, with the i3-12100F being a good example of such a lower-end AI processor.
Intel also has many high-end processors purpose-built for AI. In early 2024, Intel launched the Ultra series of H- and U-series chipsets, with more serious AI capabilities, in early 2024. All Intel Core Ultra processors have AI acceleration, and at least 12 to 16 cores, which comes in handy. An example of one such chip, Ultra 5 125U, is installed in an HP Envy x360.
Contrary to AMD Ryzen, AI-supporting processors in the Intel family aren’t always expensive. While you can spend $1451 on an MSI Prestige 14H laptop built on the Intel Core i9-13900H, there are cheaper models that fully support AI. For just $899, this Asus Vivobook S14 OLED laptop, supporting the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, is a great deal.
With Intel, you can get even cheaper prices if you settle for a lower-end processor, such as the Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i3. Their AI capabilities extend all the way to the 10th generation. As an example, this 2023 Lenovo device running on a 12th generation Core i5-1235U, with up to 10 cores, will only cost you $629.
FYI: check out some of the best AI image upscaling tools for Windows.
Other Hardware Requirements for AI PC
For your PC to be AI-capable, you need your computer hardware to accommodate certain minimum requirements on top of the desired CPU:
- PCIe 4.0 and above: if your laptop CPU only supports PCI Express 3.0, it will render AI applications more slowly. All modern processors, such as Intel’s Ultra Core series and AMD’s Ryzen 8000 – 9000 series, are compliant with PCIe 4.0 and above. When you buy an AI laptop, ensure that you have the right PCI bus.
- Powerful GPU: to support the heavy workloads of AI in PC, your laptop needs a powerful GPU, such as NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080. Check out this handy selection of the best GPUs, for all budgets. Certain GPUs even outperform the PlayStation 5.
- Powerful display: your laptop screen should support HDR features for AI video playback and streaming.
- Storage space: in the past, you could get by with just 256 GB of SSD space. However, if you want your machine to crunch AI statistics, anything less than 1 TB of space is not enough. That’s why most commercial AI laptops now have 1 TB, and even 2 TB, of SSD space.
- Cooling requirements: if you’re running AI tasks on an older laptop, it’s better to have a proper cooling pad to prevent overheating. However, newer laptops, such as the HP Spectre x360/HP Envy x360, comes with “AI cooling” features to detect optimal fan speed to prevent overheating.
- RAM requirements: most commercial laptops with AI capabilities have at least 16 GB RAM. The more the better, and if you can upgrade to a dual-channel RAM, it gives you more multitasking capabilities. A DDR5 RAM type gives better performance than a DDR4.
FYI: learn to enable dual-channel RAM on your Windows PC to handle AI workloads better.
What If My Laptop Doesn’t Support AI in PC?
Are you wondering whether your computer can handle AI? As a rule of thumb, if you want a laptop that supports AI, avoid older processors and PCIe 3.0. Generally, if you own an older laptop released before January 2024, its chances of being AI-compatible are fewer. So you’ll have no choice but to buy a new device.
The biggest exception is with several Intel Core processors launched in the last four years. Chances are they may already support AI. In Windows, go to System -> About to find the processor name, then search for it online for its AI capabilities. You can also check the “msinfo32” information with the Run command.
I was surprised to discover that my current Dell Windows laptop with an i3-1005G1 processor is AI-ready. It’s an older device launched in 2020, and the chipset supports Gaussian & Neural Accelerator, albeit only the 1.0 version. It also supports Intel DL Boost, Adaptix Technology, Optane Memory, and Speed Shift.
Not every new processor is AI-compatible. With AMD’s Ryzen series, many higher-end processors miss the mark. For example, a Ryzen 7 5700U was one of the first octa-core chips for the modern 7 nm TSMC process. The 2021 release only uses PCIe 3.0, and is therefore, not AI-compatible.
With Intel, there are several exceptions to this rule. For instance, if you have an Intel Core i9-i3 processor of the 10th and above generations, it will support AI features. For verification, always check your processor’s AI capabilities on the Intel website. However, do note that even if your processor is AI-ready, other hardware specifications require compatibility.
This is where the problem lies. Many modern laptops have RAM, PCI buses, and graphics directly soldered onto the motherboard, so users can’t replace them. This renders the AI capabilities moot. You can still use AI with an older laptop or PC with an Intel processor that supports the technology. However, you’ll get slower speeds than with the more modern Core Ultra processors.
AI in PC is an emerging technology, and many changes are expected. You may want to upgrade to a new device at some point to run those features. AI abounds in technology as of late. It’s immersed in text and AI-generated images.
Image source: Unsplash. All photos by Sayak Boral.
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