Yeah, I’d take Panther Lake in a desktop PC

I’m enthusiastic about Panther Lake. More particularly, I like what I see of its built-in graphics—and what it might imply for the longer term.

Panther Lake’s unimaginable efficiency isn’t a brand new idea, after all. AMD was first out the gate final yr with splashy, highly effective graphics squeezed onto a cell CPU die. Strix Halo and its efficiency was the speak of our workplace in 2025 on a number of events, having captured the eye of The Full Nerd crew and different PCWorld staffers alike. But Intel now thrusting its ft into the fireplace makes a low-key dream of mine really feel doable.

Intel’s new cell structure can practically rival discrete GPUs, as my colleague Mark discovered throughout his intensive testing. I might be apprehensive concerning the implications for funds discrete graphics playing cards—and I used to be requested that very query throughout the present this week. Yes, it’s a little unnerving. I don’t need built-in graphics (nonetheless good they’re) to switch discrete playing cards. Being in a position to swap a video card, particularly one which fails or has grown lengthy within the tooth, shouldn’t be a privilege out there solely to those that can afford higher-end playing cards.

I would like brawny built-in graphics to be an extra selection for PC avid gamers and DIY builders. Just consider what that would do for small form-factor PCs.

For instance, take this this lil’ guy from r/sffpc, which does truly sport a discrete RTX 5060 in that 1.8L physique. (Gorgeous work on the a part of u/Bjoes92, by the best way—oh, to have the ability to CNC aluminum in your individual workshop!) Right now, mini-PCs and small form-factor constructing have a wall between them. But what if that tough line softened?

In a really perfect world, I’d like to see chips like Panther Lake develop past laptops to not simply mini-PCs, however SFF builds that straddle the road between DIY and bare-bones kits. Perhaps mini-STX (or a fair smaller riff on it) might agency up as a standard-option motherboard, the place a Ryzen AI Max+ or Panther Lake–type chip is soldered on. Or—if AMD’s surprising hints at CES are any indication—such a mobo might help a sized-down model of socketed desktop elements.

(The reality AMD dropped the thought of a cell chip in a socketed board means I’m not the one individual on the planet questioning about this. Heck, it feels like I’m truly late to the occasion.) 

I’d take pleasure in doing speed-run SFF builds with a half-DIY, half-bare-bones method. Lots of efficiency, low time funding to rise up and operating, and I can select my very own case and cooling? Heck yeah. It can be a extra DIY-friendly model of Intel’s Compute Element concept—and one with legs. (The Compute Element didn’t survive lengthy after its debut in 2020.)

Don’t get me incorrect. I’m nonetheless involved about the way forward for funds discrete GPUs. But realistically, shopper expertise doesn’t seem poised for a similar leaps and bounds in progress as we noticed this previous decade. So throughout this slowed interval, I’d wish to not less than see innovation round effectivity—advances that may cut back the required dimension and power consumption of on a regular basis PC elements. With such heavy emphasis within the final decade on pushing the envelope (rightly wanted given the years of stagnation previous to AMD’s Ryzen launch), optimization might use some progress. When shopper {hardware} as soon as once more steams forward, we residence customers would higher profit from a panorama paying equal consideration to optimized {hardware}. (The price of residing gained’t be getting any cheaper, particularly on the subject of actual property and power.)

There will all the time be room at my desk for a full-powered desktop PC, however I like choices. I like selection. I actually love small PCs. The concept of broader flexibility and energy in a mini footprint is thrilling to me, too.

In this episode of The Full Nerd

In this episode of The Full Nerd, Adam Patrick Murray, Alaina Yee, Mark Hachman, and Will Smith dig into Mark’s testing of Intel Panther Lake (and what meaning for different 18A merchandise), Arrow Lake refresh rumors, and gaming efficiency on Windows 10 vs. Windows 11. Will and Mark additionally share tales of random wildlife. (Will’s tackle weasels: “They’re like [mice], but long.”)

We additionally as soon as once more go lengthy with viewer Q&A (a complete 45 minutes!), which implies y’all have many issues to ask us. We adore it. (For actual.)

Willis Lai / Foundry

Missed our reside present? Subscribe now to The Full Nerd Network YouTube channel, and activate notifications. We additionally reply viewer questions in real-time!

Don’t miss out on our NEW exhibits too—you may catch episodes of Dual Boot Diaries and The Full Nerd: Extra Edition on our channel, too. PLUS! Adam simply teased a new joint endeavor with Retro Gaming Corps…

And in case you want extra {hardware} speak throughout the remainder of the week, come be part of our Discord community—it’s filled with cool, laid-back nerds.

This week’s diverse nerd information

I discovered myself poking everywhere in the web this week for attention-grabbing tidbits—and it was stunning what turned up. Obviously, the large information was AMD’s launch of the 9850X3D, which Adam examined for us. But I had by no means given a lot deep thought to China’s personal reminiscence manufacturing earlier than, which Gamers Nexus helped repair for me. (Thanks, Steve!)

Adam Patrick Murray / Foundry

• Adam tested the 9850X3D: As I notice in my written abstract of his findings, it’s…fantastic. Yes, it’s the most effective gaming CPU. But the general panorama for DIY constructing complicates its attraction.

• I want to try this now: One decided British dude repurposed the usual phone wiring in his residence for gigabit ethernet. This is totally me now researching whether or not U.S. phone strains are equally succesful.

• Sigh: The United State’s cyber protection chief uploaded delicate info into the general public model of ChatGPT.

• The rise of Chinese memory: This deep-dive from Gamers Nexus into China’s funding into reminiscence manufacturing is each instructional and interesting.

9to5Google

• I’m nervous: Supposedly, the primary have a look at Google’s new AluminumOS not too long ago leaked—and whereas I’m hopeful about its eventual launch, I’m additionally nonetheless frightened. (What will occur to ChromeOS Flex?)

• Oops: A five-ton Japanese satellite tv for pc fell off the rocket it was hooked up to throughout flight. Somehow, this looks like a lightweight second, due to the picture launched by Japan’s area company illustrating what occurred. (Also, my tax {dollars} didn’t pay for it, so.)

• The sound will remain forever in my head: Microsoft simply purposely broke modem help in Windows 11. The cause is smart, however the final result continues to be a bit unhappy.

• Better late than never: Having a succession plan is a clever concept for any group—so this can be a sensible transfer on the Linux group’s half.

• Found the problem: Small form-factor haters criticize builds for not sufficient airflow. This put up within the r/SFFPC subreddit clearly illustrates the true difficulty. The actual cute (but nonetheless very problematic) difficulty.

Catch you all subsequent week—it needs to be a bit hotter finally. Also, you know the way while you reside in an space, sure issues don’t faze you? For instance, earthquakes are regular to me, however PCWorld’s east coast staffers appear mildly alarmed at any time when we west coasters point out them. 

Well, I had the reverse expertise upon studying you could have a heart attack while shoveling snow. Our east coast crew? They solely stated, “Oh yeah, that totally happens on occasion out here.” 

I’m glad I reside in a temperate local weather.

Alaina

This e-newsletter is devoted to the reminiscence of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and government editor of {hardware} at PCWorld.