Tesla Intel Atom (MCU 2) and AMD Ryzen (MCU 3): Feature Differences and How to Identify
Tesla cars come equipped with two main computer systems: the MCU (Media Control Unit) for entertainment and display functions, and the Autopilot/FSD Unit for autonomous driving capabilities.
These systems have evolved over time and are often referred to by their generation. For example, MCU 2 represents the second generation of the Media Control Unit, while the FSD Computer is identified by its generation, such as Hardware 3 or Hardware 4.
MCU 1, powered by NVIDIA Tegra 3, was the initial media control unit in Tesla vehicles. It was later upgraded to MCU 2, which featured the Intel Atom processor. The latest iteration is MCU 3, running on AMD Ryzen, offering enhanced features and capabilities.
Key Features Comparison
- MCU 2 (Intel Atom) limitations compared to MCU 3 (AMD Ryzen) include:
- Limited games available on MCU 2
- Full-screen Parked Visualization on MCU 3
- Improved visualizations on MCU 3
- Zoom Meetings supported on MCU 3
- Autopark visualizations in 3D on MCU 3
- Enhanced UI for Display Modules on MCU 3
Identifying Your MCU
To determine which MCU your Tesla vehicle has, navigate to Vehicle Options > Software > Additional Vehicle Information in the settings interface.
Future of Tesla MCU
While there is currently no indication of an MCU 4 in development, Tesla continues to enhance its existing systems to provide optimal performance and features.