Intel Core Ultra 300 "Panther Lake" SKU Lineup Leaked: Up to 16 Cores, 5.1 GHz Boost, and Arc B390 Xe3 Graphics
Thursday, November 06, 2025Intel Core Ultra 300 aka Panther Lake SKUs Leaked: Up to 16 Cores, 5.1 GHz Boost, and Arc B390 Xe3 Graphics
Intel's upcoming Core Ultra 300 series, codenamed "Panther Lake," has had its preliminary SKU lineup leaked, revealing significant upgrades in core counts, clock speeds, and integrated graphics. The leak provides a comprehensive look at Intel's next-generation mobile processors, which are expected to compete directly with AMD's Ryzen AI MAX series.
Key Highlights of Panther Lake
Performance and Core Architecture
- Maximum Boost Clock: The flagship Panther Lake SKU will reach a 5.1 GHz boost clock, slightly lower than some earlier rumors but still a significant improvement over previous generations.
- Core Configuration: The top-tier models feature up to 16 cores in a hybrid configuration:
- 4 Performance-cores (P-Cores)
- 8 Efficient-cores (E-Cores)
- 4 Low-power-cores (LP-Cores)
Integrated Graphics: Arc B390 and B370
- Arc B390: The premium SKUs will include Intel's new Arc B390 integrated graphics with a full 12 Xe3 cores, offering substantial improvements in iGPU performance.
- Arc B370: A mid-tier variant, the Core Ultra 5 338H, will feature 10 Xe3 cores.
- Lower Tiers: Other SKUs will have either 4 Xe3 cores (for systems with discrete graphics) or 2 Xe3 cores (for budget-friendly models).
Power and Thermal Design
- TDP Ranges:
- High-end models (16-core): 25W default TDP, with a maximum configurable TDP of 65W or 80W (OEM-dependent).
- 8-core and 6-core variants: 25W default TDP, with a max TDP of 55W.
- New Metric: Intel is introducing an "Experience Based PL1" metric, though details remain unclear.
Panther Lake SKU Lineup (Leaked)
| SKU | Core Configuration | Max Boost Clock | GPU | Default/Max TDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra X9 388H | 16C (4P+8E+4LP) | 5.1 GHz | Arc B390 (12 Xe3) | 25W/65-80W |
| Core Ultra 9 386H | 16C (4P+8E+4LP) | 4.9 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 25W/65-80W |
| Core Ultra X7 368H | 16C (4P+8E+4LP) | 5.0 GHz | Arc B390 (12 Xe3) | 25W/65-80W |
| Core Ultra 7 366H | 16C (4P+8E+4LP) | 4.8 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 25W/65-80W |
| Core Ultra X7 358H | 16C (4P+8E+4LP) | 4.8 GHz | Arc B390 (12 Xe3) | 25W/65-80W |
| Core Ultra 7 356H | 16C (4P+8E+4LP) | 4.7 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 25W/65-80W |
| Core Ultra 5 338H | 12C (4P+4E+4LP) | 4.7 GHz | Arc B370 (10 Xe3) | 25W/65-80W |
| Core Ultra 5 336H | 12C (4P+4E+4LP) | 4.6 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 25W/65-80W |
| Core Ultra 7 365 | 8C (4P+0E+4LP) | 4.8 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 25W/55W |
| Core Ultra 7 355 | 8C (4P+0E+4LP) | 4.7 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 25W/55W |
| Core Ultra 5 335 | 8C (4P+0E+4LP) | 4.6 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 25W/55W |
| Core Ultra 5 325 | 8C (4P+0E+4LP) | 4.5 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 25W/55W |
| Core Ultra 5 332 | 6C (2P+0E+4LP) | 4.4 GHz | 2 Xe3 | 25W/55W |
| Core Ultra 5 322 | 6C (2P+0E+4LP) | 4.4 GHz | 2 Xe3 | 25W/55W |
Naming Scheme and Market Confusion
Intel's new naming convention for Panther Lake has raised eyebrows for its complexity. The lineup includes premium SKUs such as Core Ultra X9 388H and Core Ultra X7 368H, which feature the highest core counts and Arc B390 graphics, alongside mainstream models like Core Ultra 7 365.
This naming strategy mirrors AMD's equally confusing Ryzen AI MAX series, making it challenging for consumers to compare products directly. As one industry report notes:
"Looking for a new laptop will be quite a challenge, given we have very similar-sounding names: HX 370, 365, B390, B370, 386H, 365H, MAX 392 and so on. It is an absolute mess that neither AMD nor Intel has tried to fix, unfortunately."
Target Segments and Use Cases
High-Performance Laptops
The 16-core SKUs (e.g., Core Ultra X9 388H) are designed for premium laptops targeting content creators, gamers, and professionals who need maximum multi-threaded performance. The Arc B390 iGPU with 12 Xe3 cores will likely handle modern games at 1080p and light creative workloads, reducing reliance on discrete GPUs in some designs.
Mainstream and Budget Laptops
The 8-core and 6-core SKUs (e.g., Core Ultra 5 335) are aimed at ultraportables and budget-friendly devices, focusing on power efficiency and adequate performance for everyday tasks. Models with 4 or 2 Xe3 cores are intended for systems with discrete graphics or entry-level laptops.
What to Expect Next
- Release Timeline: Intel is expected to officially announce Panther Lake in late 2025, with laptops featuring these CPUs likely arriving in early 2026.
- Competition: AMD's Ryzen AI MAX series, which also offers high core counts and advanced integrated graphics, will be Panther Lake's primary competitor.
- Clarification Needed: Intel may need to simplify its naming scheme before launch to avoid confusing consumers and OEMs alike.
Conclusion
Intel's Core Ultra 300 "Panther Lake" series represents a significant leap in mobile processor performance, with up to 16 cores, 5.1 GHz boost speeds, and powerful Arc B390 integrated graphics. However, the overly complex naming scheme could hinder consumer adoption unless addressed. As the launch approaches, further details will emerge, but for now, Panther Lake positions Intel strongly in the high-end laptop market against AMD's latest offerings.