Intel’s built-in graphics {hardware} is significantly spectacular now. Intel’s Core Ultra Series 3—also referred to as “Panther Lake”—is a big leap and a comeback moment for Intel. Indeed, Intel’s Arc iGPU paired with the Core Ultra X9 388H is nearly as good as a dedicated Nvidia GPU! But that’s not the complete story… and I’ve the benchmarks to show it.
Most Panther Lake CPUs don’t embody essentially the most spectacular Intel Arc iGPUs. Instead, they arrive with solely “Intel Graphics.” This slower Intel possibility performs extra like the standard onboard graphics you’d anticipate from an Intel CPU. Meanwhile, previous-generation PCs working Core Ultra Series 2 {hardware} may need sooner iGPUs.
In brief, not all Panther Lake CPUs have benchmark-busting built-in graphics. Let’s rein within the hype. Here’s what you’ll want to know.
“Intel Graphics” on a Panther Lake laptop computer, benchmarked
I’ve my palms on a Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra, which has an Intel Core Ultra 7 356H CPU. This Core Ultra Series 3-powered machine comes with “Intel Graphics” {hardware}.
This specific laptop computer gives spectacular graphics efficiency because of its Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU. But I can isolate the Intel Graphics and run some benchmarks to check its efficiency.
I ran 3DMark Time Spy, an vital benchmark we at all times run when we put laptops through their paces. For this benchmark, I took the graphics rating so we are able to actually concentrate on the iGPUs.
Chris Hoffman / Foundry
The Intel Graphics paired with the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H CPU delivered a rating of 3,013 whereas the Intel Arc B390 GPU paired with the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H {hardware} delivered a rating of 6,267.
Compared to the Asus ExpertBook Ultra and its top-tier Intel Arc B390 GPU, the Intel Graphics within the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra are dramatically slower. Even for those who doubled this iGPU’s efficiency, it wouldn’t catch as much as the Arc B390!
Intel Arc is a lower above Intel Graphics
When buying, hold this in thoughts: if you’d like top-tier built-in graphics efficiency, what you need is Intel Arc—however not all Panther Lake chips provide Intel Arc graphics. In truth, most don’t.
If you have a look at Intel’s product matrix, you’ll see that the distinction between these chips is basically attributable to the variety of Xe cores. Those top-tier “Intel Arc” iGPUs have 12 Xe cores whereas the common “Intel Graphics” iGPU has simply 4 Xe cores. In my expertise, a few of the lower-end fashions have as few as solely 2 Xe cores, and people ones will likely be dramatically slower than what I’ve proven within the above benchmarks.
Intel
How are you able to determine whether or not a system has a top-tier Intel Arc iGPU? Look for an “X” in its title—principally.
For instance, the Intel Core Ultra X7 and Core Ultra X9 processors have the Intel Arc B390 iGPU (as seen within the chart above). The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H processor gives a slower Intel Arc B370 iGPU with 10 Xe cores, though it doesn’t have “X” in its title.
Aside from that, all different Panther Lake processors—the Core Ultra 5 and Core Ultra 7 chips right here—have “Intel Graphics.” That’s the slower one. And some have solely 2 cores as a substitute of 4 cores! Those will likely be even slower.
If you’re shopping for a Core Ultra Series 3 laptop computer and also you need quick built-in graphics, you’ll want to search for “Intel Arc” within the CPU specs.
Even so, Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake’s iGPUs could also be sooner
While the “Intel Graphics” in Panther Lake are an enchancment over previous-generation Intel Graphics, they’re slower than the Intel Arc iGPUs you may get on some Lunar Lake or Arrow Lake methods.
Some of these Lunar Lake Arc iGPUs are simply quick sufficient for video games like Doom: The Dark Ages to carry out acceptably… barely. With a slower Panther Lake Intel Graphics iGPU, they received’t be realistically playable.
Thomas Rau
So, for those who’re selecting a laptop computer with built-in graphics, Core Ultra Series 3 isn’t at all times a clear-cut winner. Many previous-generation Core Ultra Series 2 laptops nonetheless have stronger iGPU efficiency than the common Panther Lake laptop computer. That’s simple to miss when a lot of the advertising and marketing is targeted on the strengths of these Arc iGPUs. (Plus, these older laptops could even be inexpensive now!)
Don’t rely solely on spec lists. Instead, take a look at benchmarks like those we publish in our laptop reviews. Even laptops with the identical {hardware} can differ in efficiency! You have to check to know.
You want Panther Lake and Intel Arc
Many individuals can get by simply superb with Intel Graphics. If you don’t plan on taking part in PC video games or utilizing 3D-acclerated apps in your PC, there’s no level in spending all that more money for a blazing-fast iGPU. These inexpensive “Intel Graphics” elements are nice for holding PC costs down for the plenty—and scoring a laptop that’s within your budget.
What Intel’s doing right here is completely superb. And Intel isn’t alone! While Qualcomm talked up graphics performance with its preliminary Snapdragon X Elite processors, the corporate ultimately shipped {hardware} with a lot slower Adreno iGPUs. That’s superb for many individuals, what with it costing much less to fabricate and subsequently cheaper for individuals who don’t want a speedy iGPU. But, like with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X push, one thing is getting misplaced within the advertising and marketing right here for Intel.
Just as not all Qualcomm Snapdragon X {hardware} supplied robust built-in graphics, the identical is true for Intel’s Panther Lake {hardware}.
You can’t assume a laptop computer will ship quick graphics efficiency simply because it has “Core Ultra Series 3” on the label—it’s a must to search for “Intel Arc.” And for those who do see “Intel Arc,” you possibly can’t assume it gives Panther Lake efficiency—you’ll must search for a “Core Ultra Series 3” badge. It goes each methods. Buyer, beware.
Further studying: The best overall laptops on the market right now