Intel Panther Lake: Everything we know so far

Intel’s desktop processors might not be setting the world on fire in early-2025, but its mobile chips are still some of the best in the game, and that’s only going to continue later this year. Panther Lake is Intel’s next-generation Core Ultra CPU design, and though originally expected to be a desktop and laptop line of processors, it’ll most likely be a mobile-only design. That’s still worth getting excited over though, with early rumors suggesting some impressive onboard GPU performance and improved AI capabilities.

We don’t have all the details just yet, but here’s what we know about Intel Panther Lake so far.

Naming and release

Intel has slated Panther Lake for release in the second half of 2025, likely towards the end of the year. There’s some suggestion that production of the new chips won’t enter full swing until 2026, also, which might mean availability of Panther Lake laptops is initially quite limited, increasing as the new year rolls around.

Panther Lake CPUs will likely take on the moniker of Core Ultra 300 processors.

Specs

Intel hasn’t released any firm specifications for the next-generation just yet, but we do have some details and some leaks which point to a focus on efficiency over raw power — not a terrible thing considering some of Intel’s recent generations. However, new architectures, enhanced graphics, and a new NPU, all on a new process node, should shake things up a bit.

The above are some alleged leaked core counts for some Panther Lake performance and efficient CPUs, via VideoCardz. The lack of any kind of eight performance core variant suggests Intel isn’t going to drive high performance for gaming or other demanding tasks on these processors, but should be able to run them incredibly efficiently for a big boost to battery life.

Casual and esports gaming should be more than doable, though, with the new Xe3 graphics likely to be a solid alternative to entry-level mobile GPUs.

Each Panther Lake CPU, regardless of configuration, will also include a new NPU that can output 50 TOPS by itself. That’s a little more than we’ve seen from current-generation processors like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Elite X, but only by 5 additional TOPS, so it wouldn’t be any kind of game changer.

One aspect of these CPUs we can confirm, is that they’ll be built on the Intel 18A process. That means it’s keeping production in-house, which is likely part of Intel’s drive towards greater profitability, with improved margins on future generations of CPUs. That doesn’t mean much for consumers, outside of the fact that it may mean there is more limited stock to start with — that would run in line with release date rumors.

Performance

This is a complete wildcard, as we just don’t know what these chips can do without more details of their specifications, and ideally some hands-on testing time. Graphically, they’re likely to take big leaps over anything we’ve seen before from Intel. Both AMD and Intel have been gunning hard for the entry-level GPU market for the past few years, and it seems likely that within this next-generation they could all but invalidate low-level mobile GPUs, like the Nvidia RTX XX50 series, and lower-power options, like the MX550.

We’d like to see an eight-performance core option for these CPUs, as otherwise they’re going to fall well behind AMD’s alternatives in raw power for high-end tasks. Efficiency cores are great, but in limited quantities, they can’t keep up.

Conclusion

It’s a long way off before we even get a glimpse of these CPUs, but we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled. As more details emerge, we’ll keep this updated. Interested in what comes after even Panther Lake? We have a guide to Nova Lake too.