Intel is preparing to pounce with its upcoming Panther Lake series of processors and will officially launch at CES 2026. These Intel Core Ultra 3 processors are a part of the 18A, which is hoped to assist in getting the chip manufacturer back on its feet following years of fiscal challenges and missteps. With improved CPU and GPU performance, increased AI support and features, and Xe3 graphics, Panther Lake could be the predator Intel needs to begin its climb back up. Intel has already begun shipping Panther Lake to OEMs who will start selling products in 2026.
While some will call this launch a refresh, there is a bit more to it than that. This 18A product will arrive in two variants aimed at high-end usage scenarios and efficiency models designed for mobile and lower power solutions. Both will see the introduction of the low-power efficiency cores alongside performance and efficient cores. The high-end versions will feature 16 cores made up of 4 performance, 8 efficient, and 4 low-power efficient cores, whereas the efficient models are comprised of either 2 to 4 performance cores paired with 4 low-powered efficient cores. Intel further improves upon the previous Nova Lake generation with Xe3 graphics featuring 12 execution units (shader blocks) that could see reasonable 1080p gaming performance.
Panther Lake Family Specifications (via Igor’s Lab):
| Model | Cores (P E LPE) | Max clock | Xe3 cores | Target group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra X9 388H | 4 8 4 | 5.1 GHz | 12 | Enthusiasts, Gaming |
| Core Ultra X7 368H | 4 8 4 | 5.0 GHz | 12 | High-end notebooks |
| Core Ultra X5 338H | 4 4 4 | 4.7 GHz | 10 | Upper class, creative |
| Core Ultra 9 386H | 4 8 4 | 4.9 GHz | 4 | High-end with dGPU |
| Core Ultra 7 366H | 4 8 4 | 4.8 GHz | 4 | Premium Allround |
| Core Ultra 5 336H | 4 4 4 | 4.6 GHz | 4 | Mainstream Performance |
| Core Ultra 7 365 | 4 0 4 | 4.8 GHz | 4 | Efficiency Standalone |
| Core Ultra 3 322 | 2 0 4 | 4.4 GHz | 2 | Entry-level, Office |