Leaked benchmarks suggest Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake laptop CPUs may offer slightly lower CPU performance compared to previous models, with the mid-range Core Ultra X7 358H and Core Ultra 5 338H scoring around 20,000 and 16,000 in Cinebench R23, respectively. However, the new chips are expected to deliver significantly improved integrated graphics performance, reaching levels similar to Nvidia’s RTX 3050. These early results indicate Intel may be prioritizing graphics capabilities over raw CPU speed in this generation.
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Recent leaks have shed light on the performance of Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake laptop processors, offering a first look at what users can expect from the next generation of mobile CPUs. The Panther Lake lineup, which was previously revealed through configuration leaks, ranges from the entry-level Core Ultra 3 320U—featuring 2 Performance Cores (P-Cores) and 4 Low Power Efficient Cores (LPE-Cores)—to the high-end Core Ultra X9 388H, equipped with 4 P-Cores, 8 Efficient Cores (E-Cores), and 4 LPE-Cores.
According to new information from Laptopreview Club, performance benchmarks for the mid-range Core Ultra X7 358H and Core Ultra 5 338H have surfaced. The Core Ultra X7 358H reportedly achieved a Cinebench R23 score of approximately 20,000 points. In comparison, the Core Ultra 5 338H scored around 16,000 points, making it roughly 20% slower than the X7 variant. While these figures are rounded and not official, they provide an early indication of what to expect from Intel’s next-gen mobile CPUs.
Panther Lake is expected to emphasize integrated GPU (iGPU) performance, a shift highlighted by earlier leaks suggesting that the new 12-core Xe3 iGPU could deliver graphics capabilities comparable to NVIDIA’s RTX 3050. This marks a significant step forward for integrated graphics in laptops, potentially reducing the need for discrete GPUs in many mainstream use cases.
The leaked benchmarks also suggest that the Core Ultra X7 358H may be about 10% slower than the previous-generation 255H at similar power levels (60-65W). For context, Cinebench R23 scores for the 255H have ranged from the low 17,000s to over 22,000 points. This could indicate that Intel is prioritizing iGPU improvements, possibly at the expense of raw CPU performance.
However, it’s important to note that these are early leaks and may not represent final performance. The idea that Intel would release a new CPU generation with significantly lower CPU performance than its predecessor seems unlikely. These results could reflect early engineering samples or less-than-ideal testing conditions. As the launch approaches, more comprehensive benchmarks will provide a clearer picture of Panther Lake’s real-world capabilities.
What to Expect from Intel Panther Lake Laptops
With Panther Lake, Intel appears to be targeting a balance between efficient CPU performance and powerful integrated graphics, aiming to deliver versatile laptops for a wide range of users. While early benchmarks suggest some trade-offs, the overall platform could offer compelling performance, especially for users who value strong iGPU capabilities in a portable form factor. As more information becomes available, the true potential of Intel’s Panther Lake processors will come into sharper focus.
