Intel’s next-generation Panther Lake laptop CPUs are set to launch in 2026, but a recent leak has revealed a sign of the expected lineup. While this information should be taken with caution, the leaked SKU list gives an idea of Intel’s plans for its first processors built on the 18A node.

Panther Lake, followed shortly by Nova Lake, arrives at a critical time for Intel, as the company navigates leadership changes and increasing competition. Intel is expected to share more official details about Panther Lake later this week.

Initial Panther Lake Configurations

According to the leak, first reported on Chiphell, the initial Panther Lake release will feature three configurations—Core Ultra X300, Core Ultra, and Core Ultra 300U—each with four SKUs, totaling 12 chips. Wccftech notes that CPUs with the “X” designation will feature 12 Xe3 GPU cores, also known as the Celestial iGPU. The exception is the Core Ultra 5, which will have 10 Xe3 GPU cores.

The X-series is expected to include Core Ultra 9 X388H, Core Ultra 7 X368H, Core Ultra 7 X358H, and Core Ultra 5 X338H, targeting high-end laptops but not gaming-focused machines.

 

 

Gaming Laptop Focus: Core Ultra Series

For gaming laptops, the Core Ultra series appears to take the lead, with SKUs such as Core Ultra 9 375H, Core Ultra 7 355H, Core Ultra 7 345H, and Core Ultra 5 325H. These chips may have a 45W TDP and support up to 20 PCIe 5.0 lanes for discrete graphics cards, ensuring top performance for gaming notebooks.

Low-Power CPUs for Mainstream Laptops

Intel is also preparing low-power Core Ultra H series CPUs for mainstream, budget-friendly laptops. Most of these will feature eight CPU cores and four GPU cores, while the entry-level Core Ultra 3 320U is expected to have six CPU cores. These chips aim to balance performance with energy efficiency for everyday use.

Competition from AMD and Nova Lake

While Panther Lake may face moderate competition, Nova Lake is likely to encounter stiffer rivalry from AMD’s new Zen 6 CPU lineup, which reportedly offers 7GHz clock speeds and 24 cores. This high-performance CPU has the potential to challenge Intel’s desktop offerings and steal some market attention.

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Expected CES 2026 Reveal

More details about Panther Lake and Nova Lake are expected to be revealed at CES 2026, though Intel has remained tight-lipped about the circulating rumors. Fans and PC enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting official specifications and performance benchmarks.