Intel is introducing an affordable line of Panther Lake laptop processors known as the Core Series 3. These chips, built on the Intel 18A process like the premium Core Ultra Series 3, have reduced specifications. The Core Series 3 includes six chips, ranging from a six-core Intel Core 7 360 to a five-core Intel Core 3 304. All models have fewer CPU cores, Xe graphics cores, and PCIe lanes compared to the Ultra series, alongside lower TOPS, reduced TDP wattage, and only two Thunderbolt 4 ports. This should result in cheaper prices when companies like Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, and others release laptops featuring these processors.
Naming similarities between the Core Series 3 and the more expensive Core Ultra Series 3 might create confusion. For instance, the Core Ultra Series 3’s bottom model, the Core Ultra 5 322, is comparable in name to the Core 5 330 in the Core Series 3. Despite the 330’s higher number, it has fewer cores, less cache, reduced AI TOPS, and the same number of Xe graphics cores as the Ultra 5 322. Identifying the “Ultra” label can help distinguish whether a chip is budget-oriented.
While the Core Series 3 processors might not be very exciting, they offer more accessible Panther Lake options. High-end laptops like the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H in the Asus Zenbook Duo, priced at $2,300, offer excellent performance and graphics. The challenge is determining how much of this performance can be expected to transfer to the more budget-friendly series.