Windows 11 AI PCs now need faster chips — here’s Microsoft’s new processor requirements
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Microsoft has quietly updated Windows 11’s minimum processor requirement for AI PCs. You’ll still need the basics, but if you’re hoping to tap into all the new Copilot+ features, you’re going to need more than just a compatible CPU.
What processors are now required for a Windows 11 AI PC?
If you’ve heard the term “Copilot+ PC” floating around, that’s Microsoft’s new label for hardware that can keep up with AI-heavy tasks—things like real-time translation, image generation, and other features baked into Windows 11 24H2. But it’s not just a name—it comes with real requirements.
Here’s what a Windows 11 AI PC actually needs:
- A processor with an NPU (neural processing unit) that can hit 40+ TOPS (trillion operations per second).
- At least 16 GB of DDR5 or LPDDR5 RAM.
- 256 GB of SSD or UFS storage.
In terms of chips, only a few make the cut right now:
- AMD Ryzen AI 300 series
- Intel Core Ultra 200V series
- Snapdragon X series
So yes, if your device doesn’t have an NPU, you’re probably missing out.
The new, minimum processor requirement for Windows 11 AI PCs now comes with direct links to supported CPUs from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm. That’s a step forward, even if there’s still no standalone list like the one for standard Windows 11 processors.
Microsoft has also been quietly improving other hardware-related requirements, too, like better USB-C support, which hints at more AI-ready hardware features coming soon.
If you’re building or buying a new PC with AI in mind, now you know exactly what to look for. And if your current machine doesn’t make the cut—well, now you know why Copilot+ isn’t showing up.
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