Early benchmark results for Intel's next-generation mobile processor have surfaced, offering a first look at the potential performance leap of its advanced 18A manufacturing node. The leak suggests Intel's upcoming Panther Lake chip could significantly close the gap with its chief rival in the high-performance laptop segment.
Early Geekbench Leak Reveals Panther Lake Performance
A Geekbench listing for an Intel Core Ultra X9 388H processor, believed to be the flagship model of the upcoming Panther Lake-H series, has provided the first concrete performance figures for Intel's next-generation architecture. The chip, built on the Intel 18A process, achieved a single-core score of 3,057 points and a multi-core score of 17,687 points in the Geekbench 6 benchmark. These results, while preliminary from a single sample, immediately draw comparisons to both Intel's current offerings and AMD's top mobile parts, painting a picture of a highly competitive next-generation chip.
Reported Geekbench 6 Scores:
- Intel Core Ultra X9 388H (Panther Lake-H): 3,057 (Single-Core) / 17,687 (Multi-Core)
- AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (Strix Halo): Performance is "within margin of error" for multi-core; Intel leads by 8.7% in single-core.
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285H (Arrow Lake-H): Significantly outperformed by the X9 388H in both single and multi-core tests.
Specifications and Architectural Details
The Geekbench listing confirms several key specifications for the Core Ultra X9 388H. The processor features a hybrid core configuration with 4 Performance cores (P-cores), 8 Efficiency cores (E-cores), and 4 Low-Power Efficiency cores (LP-E cores), for a total of 16 cores. Notably, Hyper-Threading is absent, continuing the trend set by recent Intel architectures. The chip was observed boosting up to 5.1 GHz during the test. It carries an "X" designation, indicating it is equipped with 12 cores of Intel's next-generation Xe3 integrated graphics. The processor is listed with a default TDP of 45 watts, positioning it in the standard high-performance mobile segment.
Key Specifications of Intel Core Ultra X9 388H:
- Architecture: Panther Lake (Intel 18A process)
- Core Config: 4P + 8E + 4 LP-E (16 cores total)
- Threads: 16 (No Hyper-Threading)
- Max Boost Clock: 5.1 GHz
- Default TDP: 45W
- iGPU: Intel Xe3 Graphics (12 cores)
- Status: Unreleased; expected early 2026.
Performance Comparison with Current Generation and Competition
The leaked scores position the Panther Lake flagship intriguingly against existing chips. Compared to Intel's current Arrow Lake-H flagship, the Core Ultra 9 285H, the X9 388H shows a substantial lead. More critically, when stacked against AMD's reigning champion for AI PCs, the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (part of the Strix Halo family), the results are highly competitive. The multi-core performance of the two chips is described as being within a margin of error, essentially a tie. However, the Intel chip reportedly holds an 8.7% advantage in single-core performance, a key metric for many everyday tasks and gaming.
Context and Market Considerations
This performance is particularly notable given the thermal constraints. The leaked Panther Lake chip operates at a default 45W TDP, while the competing AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 has a default 55W TDP. Achieving parity or superiority within a lower power budget would represent a significant efficiency win for Intel's 18A process technology. However, excitement for Panther Lake's potential is tempered by broader market issues. Reports indicate that surging memory prices could lead to significant price increases for laptops featuring these new processors, potentially impacting their market appeal regardless of raw performance.
Looking Ahead to Panther Lake's Release
Panther Lake is not expected to launch until early 2026, making this leak exceptionally early. While the single data point is promising, it is not conclusive. Performance can vary between individual samples, cooling solutions, and system designs. The tech community will await more consistent benchmarking from multiple sources to establish reliable performance averages. Nevertheless, this first glimpse suggests that Intel's Panther Lake could mark a strong return to form, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive battle in the premium laptop CPU market next year.