What is AI?
Imagine a machine that learns and adapts like the human brain. That’s the core idea behind Artificial Intelligence. AI uses complex algorithms to analyze data, identify patterns, and make intelligent decisions. These systems are trained on massive datasets, enabling them to “learn” and improve performance over time.
By incorporating cutting-edge technology, our AI-powered computers, laptops, workstations, and software empower you to achieve remarkable results. Shop Micro Center for an extensive range of AI components and systems and discover a new level of performance in computing, gaming, and creation.
An AI PC is a PC that includes hardware that can run certain software AI featues locally. Some advantages of running AI processes locally can be:
- Speed - Faster performance
- Safety - Data is local, not in the cloud
- Cost – could be cheaper in the long run
TOPS = Trillions of Operations per Second
A new class of PC processors include an NPU, or Neural Processing Unit, which is which are specifically designed to do AI work. The work of the NPU is measured in TOPS. For our definition, an “AI PC” has at least 10 TOPS or a GPU capable of processing certain software with AI functionality that can be measured in TOPS.
Currently, Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm have launched laptop processors with a dedicated NPU with at least 10 TOPS performance, see links to these pages on the manufacturers sites for more details. Graphics cards can also process certain software packages with AI functionality and can also have a TOPS measurement. Please see links (above) or GPU manufacturers site for details.
The chip manufacturers work with ISVs, Independent Software Vendors, to improve the performance at which certain functions run utilizing the NPU or GPU. So, using an NPU or GPU equipped PC will improve your productivity, depending on the task. To get an up-to-date list of Software that runs better with certain chips, please refer to the chip manufacturer websites.
At a high level – the market will see AI PCs for everyday use for consumers and small business and AI Workstations that are built for more intensive LLM (Large Language Model) work. There are also AI Servers in the market, but these are very high end enterprise level systems.
What is TOPS? The AI Performance Metric Explained
We see the AI use case and the specific devices as below.
Computing & Productivity
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing our productivity. In the realm of computing, this intelligence is a powerful assistant. It optimizes resource allocation, automates routine tasks, and streamlines workflows, freeing you to tackle complex problems with renewed focus.
Gaming
Gamers revel in AI, as it assists with performance and can even create enemies that adapt to your play, delivering a constantly fresh and immersive gaming experience. Stunning visuals and personalized settings keep gamers hooked for hours.
Creation
Creators save valuable time using AI PC systems that automate repetitive editing tasks, recognize objects, remove unwanted elements, and assist with complex editing processes.
Average Consumer
From photo and video editing powered by AI tools to enhanced gaming with intelligent assistance, AI PCs unlock a new level of performance and possibilities for the average consumer.
Power Users
Power users can push the boundaries of creativity with an AI PC from Micro Center. AI workstations, desktops, and AI laptops empower you to tackle demanding designs, animation, and data analysis projects with exceptional speed and efficiency.
Developers
At Micro Center, our AI workstations, servers, and desktops provide the environment developers need to train complex models, run simulations, test algorithms, and bring groundbreaking coding to life.
At Micro Center, our AI laptops are game changers for mobile computing. Work without limits, edit photos and videos with intelligent assistance and stay ahead of the curve with laptops built to handle the latest software and frameworks.
AI-powered laptops are the perfect blend of power and portability; at Micro Center, you don’t have to compromise between performance and mobility. Work on your AI projects from anywhere and boost productivity with tools that streamline workflows and accelerate tasks.
At Micro Center, we offer various PC systems with CPU and NPU configurations. The CPU handles everyday computing tasks, while the specialized NPU tackles demanding AI workloads. Built for speed and efficiency, NPUs excel at matrix multiplication, an essential operation in tackling Large Language Models.
CPUs with NPUs
Intel
Experience the power of AI on PC with Intel Core Ultra Processors. With the AI PC, you'll have the potential to become more creative, productive, and secure. Intel is moving AI applications from the cloud to the PC, improving privacy and reducing dependency on expensive data centers. Intel takes the heavy lifting out of AI software development, so you can focus on what matters most.
AMD
Build, explore, and immerse yourself on select laptops with Ryzen™ AI built in. With dedicated AI accelerator hardware seamlessly integrated on-chip and software that intelligently optimizes tasks and workloads, CPU and GPU resources are freed up to ensure optimal performance. But Ryzen™ AI isn't just about raw performance or power efficiency - it's about making new experiences possible.
Qualcomm
Snapdragon® X Series processors usher in a new era of performance, intelligence, and power efficiency for creators, collaborators, and engineers alike. The most powerful, efficient, and intelligent processors in their class ever created for Windows are all about the 'WOAH', whether you're multitasking heavy workloads, creating one-of-a-kind content, or enjoying endless entertainment.
The heart of any AI system is its graphics processing unit. Micro Center partnered with NVIDIA and AMD to provide shoppers with powerful AI-focused GPUs.
AI GPUs are designed to handle complex calculations for tasks like machine learning and deep learning; they offer significant performance boosts to accompany CPUs and NPUs dealing with AI applications.
NVIDIA Tensor Cores and AMD Stream Processors are specialized cores designed for high-throughput, low-precision calculations crucial for algorithms. These GPUs have high bandwidth memory to ensure smooth operation and minimize bottlenecks. These graphics cards are perfect for frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, Caffe2, and more.
AMD Radeon™ RX 7000 Series graphics cards are designed to accelerate advanced AI experiences.
Get powerful content creation and enhanced mainstream gaming with Intel ARC graphics.
NVIDIA RTX is the most advanced platform for ray tracing and AI technologies that are revolutionizing the ways we play and create.
AI software unlocks the true potential of your AI hardware (CPUs, NPUs, GPUs). These programs work with your hardware to tackle complex calculations for various AI applications. Unlock the benefits based on your needs:
- FROM MICROSOFT: AI for everything you do - Work smarter, be more productive, boost creativity, and stay connected to the people and things in your life with Copilot— an AI companion that works everywhere you do and intelligently adapts to your needs. READ MORE
- FROM INTEL: Overcome Common AI and Data Science Software Roadblocks - Intel works with popular AI software creators and the open source community to ensure their mainstream distributions run better on our architecture. READ MORE
- FROM AMD: AMD Ryzen™ AI Software includes the tools and runtime libraries for optimizing and deploying AI inference on AMD Ryzen™ AI powered PCs. (Ryzen™ AI technology is compatible with all AMD Ryzen™ 7040 series processors except the Ryzen™ 5 7540U and Ryzen™ 3 7440U. READ MORE
When selecting the right artificial intelligence software, consider your hardware, project requirements, and programming skills.
At Micro Center, bringing AI to enterprise and individual computing is a collaborative effort involving industry-leading partners including AMD, Intel, Microsoft, Qualcomm and NVIDIA.
Ryzen AI
Core Ultra
CoPilot+
RTX-powered AI
Qualcomm
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