Intel Panther Lake Laptop CPU Review: A Powerful Comeback
Intel has made significant strides with its new Panther Lake laptop CPU, a key part of its anticipated 18A silicon manufacturing process. This generation aims to re-establish Intel’s position in the competitive chip market, particularly in response to manufacturers like Qualcomm and Nvidia who typically rely on TSMC for foundry services.
Overview of Panther Lake CPUs
The Panther Lake series features 8- and 16-core configurations. This includes the Core Ultra X9 388H chip, tested within the Asus Zenbook Duo. This model stands out as a flagship equipped with a powerful Intel Arc B390 GPU, consisting of 12 Xe graphics cores.
Specifications
- Model: Intel Core Ultra X9 388H
- Cores: 16 (Cougar Cove P-cores and Darkmont E-cores)
- Base Power: 25W
- Max Turbo Power: 80W
- GPU: Intel Arc B390 with 12 Xe graphics cores
Performance Insights
In performance tests, the Panther Lake CPUs showed impressive results. The Core Ultra X9 388H outperformed AMD’s highest-end Strix Point chip in most benchmarks. It indicated significant improvements over previous Intel models, including Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake-H.
Benchmark Comparison
| Model | Geekbench 6 CPU Single | Geekbench 6 CPU Multi | Cinebench 2024 Single | Cinebench 2024 Multi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core Ultra X9 388H | 3009 | 1726 | 1292 | 983 |
| Apple M5 | 4082 | 1794 | 1131 | 1085 |
| AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | 2896 | 1984 | 1183 | 956 |
Intel claims that the Panther Lake’s performance in gaming is competitive too. The 12 Xe graphics cores are positioned as rivaling Nvidia’s RTX 4050 when running at 1080p.
Real-World Usage
In practical testing, the Zenbook Duo with Panther Lake handled photo editing tasks on Adobe Lightroom Classic with exceptional speed. Users experienced minimal lag, showcasing the CPU’s capabilities on battery power.
Battery performance was another highlight. The Zenbook Duo managed over 14 hours of use, performing outstandingly in dual-screen scenarios. This performance is advantageous for professionals needing extended battery life.
Gaming Experience
In gaming situations, the CPU maintained decent frame rates. Notably, Cyberpunk 2077 achieved approximately 40fps on Ultra settings without ray tracing, which is commendable for an integrated GPU.
Key Gaming Metrics
- Cyberpunk 2077: 40fps at 1920 x 1200 resolution (High settings)
- Multiples Titles Performance: Generally maintained fps close to or above 60fps
The Intel Graphics Software app allows users to tweak performance settings, further enhancing the gaming experience. The Panther Lake shows promise as a strong contender in the laptop market.
Conclusion
The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H Panther Lake is a robust CPU for demanding tasks and gaming. As Intel continues to innovate, the Panther Lake series solidifies its place in the competitive landscape of laptop processors. With its competitive edge and significant performance, it certainly raises expectations for upcoming models from Intel and its rivals.
