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| The 16-core Intel Core Ultra X9 388H CPU has appeared on Passmark. |
The tech community has been buzzing about Intel’s next-generation “Panther Lake” architecture for months, promising significant leaps in performance and efficiency. Now, the flagship Intel Core Ultra X9 388H has made its first official appearance on PassMark, giving us an early, though preliminary, look at what to expect. The results tell a nuanced story: while raw CPU performance shows measured improvements, it’s the integrated graphics that might steal the show.
A Closer Look at the Core Ultra X9 388H
The listed chip features a hybrid 16-core design: 4 Cougar Cove high-performance cores, 8 Darkmont efficiency cores, and an additional 4 Darkmont low-power efficiency cores for optimized background tasks. Graphics are handled by the new Arc B390 iGPU with 12 Xe3 cores. The listing, first spotted by the well-known hardware sleuth @x86deadandback on X, shows the processor scoring just under 38,000 points in multi-threaded performance and around 4,450 points in single-threaded tests.
Performance vs. Predecessor: Steady, Not Stellar
When stacked against its direct predecessor, the Core Ultra 9 285H, the gains appear solid but not revolutionary. The Panther Lake chip shows a roughly 10% lead in multi-threaded workloads, while single-thread performance remains nearly identical. It’s crucial to note that with only two samples submitted, these scores are far from final and will fluctuate.
What makes this result particularly interesting is the clock speed context. The 285H boasts a 300 MHz higher boost clock. Given that the new 388H achieves a win despite this deficit, it suggests that the underlying Panther Lake architecture is delivering better performance per clock. You can see a direct, detailed comparison of these two processors on CPU Benchmark.
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| The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H CPU pulls ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 and Core Ultra 9 285H by a noticeable margin. |
The AMD Rivalry Heats Up
The plot thickens when we bring AMD’s latest to the table. The competing Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 scores approximately 36,500 in multi-thread and 4,200 in single-thread benchmarks. This grants Intel’s new chip a narrow but clear lead in this early matchup. While one benchmark suite is never the whole story, it sets the stage for a fiercely competitive laptop CPU market in 2026.
The Real Star: Arc B390 Integrated Graphics
If the CPU improvements seem cautious, the integrated graphics narrative is anything but. As highlighted by TechPowerUp, early leaked benchmarks of the Arc B390 iGPU are staggering. Reports indicate it can outperform AMD's powerful Radeon 890M by nearly 100% in some real-world gaming tests. This isn't just an incremental step; it's a generational bound.
For thin-and-light notebooks, ultraportables, and the booming mini-PC market, this is potentially game-changing. It promises credible 1080p gaming and enhanced content creation capabilities without the need for space-hogging, battery-draining discrete graphics.
Speaking of mini-PCs… If the promise of Panther Lake has you eager for a compact powerhouse, there are already compelling options on the market. For instance, the popular GMKtec Evo-T1 mini PC, configurable with up to 64GB RAM and 2TB storage, is currently $300 off on Amazon. It’s a fantastic stopgap for those wanting a capable system today. Check out the deal here.
Final Thoughts
The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H "Panther Lake" presents a fascinating preview. Its CPU performance demonstrates steady architectural refinement, yielding gains even at lower clock speeds. However, the headline story is the transformative potential of its Arc B390 integrated graphics. If final retail silicon holds up to these early leaks, Intel may have a potent weapon for winning over gamers and creators who prioritize portability.
As always, we caution that these are early benchmark results. The final verdict will come with comprehensive third-party reviews upon release. But for now, the battle between Intel and AMD in the mobile space looks more exciting than ever.