The first performance data for Intel’s next-generation Panther Lake mobile platform has surfaced, hinting at a major generational leap for the company’s integrated graphics. According to LaptopReview, benchmark results from 3DMark TimeSpy show that the flagship Core Ultra X9 388H delivers a significant graphics boost over its predecessor, Lunar Lake, confirming Intel’s promise of dual gains in both performance and efficiency.
Major Leap in Graphics Performance #
The Core Ultra X9 388H, featuring Intel’s new Celestial (Xe3) integrated GPU with 12 graphics cores, achieved a TimeSpy Graphics score of around 6300 points—a roughly 45–50% increase over Lunar Lake’s Arc 140V (≈4300 points). This places Intel’s integrated GPU performance on par with the NVIDIA RTX 3050 Laptop GPU for the first time, marking a milestone in the thin-and-light laptop category.
These early results were obtained using pre-release drivers. Intel insiders note that Arc drivers are still being optimized for Xe3, and final production performance could be even higher. Intel previously claimed that Xe3 delivers over 50% architectural performance uplift versus Xe2, with improved ray-tracing units and smarter scheduling mechanisms.
The Core Ultra X9 388H combines a 4+8+4 hybrid CPU design (Performance cores + Efficiency cores + Low Power E-cores) with the 12-core Xe3 GPU, forming the top-tier configuration in the Panther Lake lineup.
Efficiency and Power Advantage #
The Panther Lake flagship carries a 45W TDP, targeting premium thin-and-light laptops and compact workstations. In comparison, AMD’s Strix Halo APU still leads in raw graphics power but consumes 120–140W, placing it in a different power class. Within the same energy envelope, Intel’s performance leap offers greater real-world value for mobility-focused systems.
Benchmark data shows AMD’s Radeon 890M (16 RDNA 3.5 cores @ 30W) scoring about 3489 points in the same 3DMark test. This indicates that Panther Lake’s iGPU outperforms AMD’s latest mobile solution under similar power efficiency conditions—highlighting the Xe3 architecture’s improved cache hierarchy and parallel instruction throughput.
Next-Gen GPU Roadmap #
Intel has confirmed that the Xe3 architecture will extend beyond Panther Lake to future product lines, including Arrow Lake-H high-performance laptops and the next generation of Arc B-series discrete GPUs. An internal derivative codenamed “Xe3P” is also in development for mainstream desktop and laptop platforms, expected to debut in 2026.
Although still in the early testing phase, Panther Lake’s results indicate that Intel is rapidly closing the gap with AMD in integrated graphics performance. Building on Lunar Lake’s efficiency gains, Panther Lake appears positioned to deliver Intel’s most balanced CPU–GPU package to date.
Outlook and Launch Timeline #
More details about Panther Lake are expected later this year. Intel may share updated specifications and launch information during the 2025 Financial Analyst Day (November 11) or at CES 2026.
Early results already suggest that Intel’s strategic direction for thin-and-light laptops is shifting toward high-efficiency integration. Panther Lake represents a pivotal step in this evolution—bringing integrated GPU performance into dedicated GPU territory while maintaining laptop-class efficiency.
Quote: Intel Panther Lake iGPU Rivals RTX 3050 in Early Tests