At a Glance
- Intel’s new Core Ultra Series 3 chips deliver multi-core performance that beats Apple’s latest M5 by up to 33 %.
- Integrated graphics in the X9 388H reach 77 % faster than the previous Lunar Lake generation.
- A 16-inch Lenovo reference unit powered by the X9 388H achieves 55 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at native medium settings.
- Why it matters: These chips signal Intel’s strongest performance push in years, challenging Apple’s dominance in the thin-and-light laptop market.
Intel’s Core Ultra Series 3, codenamed Panther Lake, marks a departure from the modest yearly upgrades that have characterized the company’s laptop processors. Announced almost five years ago as part of a turnaround strategy, the chips are now available in high-end laptops and show performance that rivals Apple’s M5.
Design and Manufacturing
Intel’s new chips are built on the 18A process, the first in-house node produced at the company’s Arizona fab funded by the CHIPS Act. The facility also received an $8.9 billion investment from the U.S. government, giving the company a 10 % equity stake.
The 18A process is a return to form after the Core Ultra Series 2 was partially manufactured by TSMC. The new chips are expected to be more competitive in battery life and efficiency, while also delivering higher raw performance.
Performance Benchmarks
Two laptops were tested:
- MSI Prestige 14 Flip with the Core Ultra X7 358H (16 cores: 4 performance, 8 efficiency, 4 low-power).
- Lenovo IdeaPad reference with the Core Ultra X9 388H (same core breakdown).
| Test | X9 388H | X7 358H | X7 258V (Lunar Lake) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench 24 Single-Core | 130 | 124 | 115 |
| Cinebench 24 Multi-Core | 128 558 | 98 566 | 55 262 |
| 3DMark Steel Nomad Light | 883 | 664 | 1 021 |
| Apple M5 | 199 | 992 | – |
| Apple M4 Pro | 165 | 149 | – |
| Snapdragon X Elite | 105 | 826 | – |
The X9 388H outperforms Apple’s M5 by 33 % in multi-core tests and leads in integrated graphics. The X7 358H also surpasses the M4 Pro in multi-core performance by 14 %.
Gaming and Graphics
Intel’s B390 GPU, the top line in the company’s architecture, powers both chips. It contains 12 Xe cores and is rated 77 % faster than the Lunar Lake GPU. In real-world gaming, the Lenovo reference unit achieves:
- Cyberpunk 2077: 55 fps at native medium settings.
- Marvel Rivals: 36 fps native, 54 fps with XeSS 2.0 Quality.
XeSS upscaling and frame generation allow the system to utilize a 120-Hz display without significant input lag. However, the system still lags behind an older discrete GPU, such as the Nvidia RTX 4050, by 26 %.
Battery Life and Thermals
The MSI Prestige 14 Flip delivers 22 hours of battery life, a first for a Windows laptop of its size. The system, however, experiences hotspot temperatures over the top-left keyboard area, even at idle. The Lenovo reference unit does not exhibit this issue.
Market Implications
Intel’s return to competitive performance could shift the balance in the thin-and-light segment, traditionally dominated by Apple. The new chips are already being adopted by multiple manufacturers, as announced at CES, indicating a broad market acceptance.
The success of Panther Lake hinges on future pricing and the ability of other laptop makers to adopt the X7 and X9 designs. Intel’s current performance advantage is clear, but the long-term impact on the industry remains to be seen.
Key Takeaways
- Panther Lake delivers the highest multi-core performance Intel has shipped for laptops in years.
- Integrated graphics now outperform Apple’s M5, marking a significant milestone for Intel’s x86 architecture.
- A 22-hour battery life on a 16-inch laptop sets a new standard for Windows devices.
- Thermals and fan noise remain areas for improvement, especially in thin-and-light form factors.
Intel’s Core Ultra Series 3 shows that the company can still innovate and compete with the likes of Qualcomm and Apple, potentially restoring confidence in its future.
