- Intel has showcased its Panther Lake processors at Computex 2025
- It is hinted at a concentrate on energy effectivity and ‘next-gen iGPU efficiency’ for the cell processors
- It might spell nice information for upcoming handheld gaming PCs and different moveable gaming programs
Computex 2025 is underway, and we’re wanting ahead to seeing new {hardware} from the likes of Nvidia, AMD, and Intel – and the latter is already making an impression with its upcoming cell processor lineup.
As reported by our associates at Tom’s {Hardware}, Intel’s demos on the huge computing expo in Taipei included Panther Lake-powered programs, with Staff Blue specializing in the ability effectivity and gaming efficiency of its new cell processor lineup – in the end, aiming to match the ability effectivity of the earlier Lunar Lake lineup.
Intel’s teasers and claims on the present add credibility to the rumors, based mostly on leaked specs, relating to upcoming Panther Lake processors utilizing Cougar Cove P-cores (efficiency cores) and Darkmont E-cores (effectivity cores). It is also price noting that the brand new processors are being constructed on Intel’s new 18A node manufacturing course of, which additional helps enhance efficiency.
We have beforehand seen the ability effectivity of the Lunar Lake lineup, particularly within the Core Extremely 7 258V used within the MSI Claw 8 AI+. Energy effectivity is among the largest highlights of the hand held gaming PC – to place it merely, gaming at 17W energy consumption nonetheless yields nice efficiency outcomes whereas saving a variety of battery. Effectivity and efficiency have been made even higher with Intel’s latest drivers, permitting higher body pacing.
Staff Blue has additionally beforehand hinted at a “next-gen built-in iGPU”, which might show to be a major efficiency enhancer for moveable gaming.
Whereas Panther Lake is ready primarily for the laptop computer platform, there’s each probability we might see one in every of these iGPUs in an upcoming gaming handheld.
The battle with AMD within the handheld gaming PC market is really on
We’re nonetheless awaiting the launch of a brand new handheld gaming PC powered by one in every of AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Excessive processors – I am anticipating this to occur at Computex, contemplating the prototype reveal of the Lenovo Legion Go 2 at CES earlier this yr and rumors relating to an Xbox-styled Asus ROG Ally. Till then, Intel is within the lead, by way of a steadiness between energy effectivity and gaming efficiency, with its Core Extremely 7 258V.
Whereas the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 is an absolute powerhouse for gaming, and is used within the OneXPlayer X1 Professional handheld, I doubt that the X1 Professional’s battery life lives as much as that of the Core Extremely 7 258V-powered MSI Claw 8 AI+. It is also far costlier, heading into $1,000-plus territory (relying on the configuration).
Intel’s Lunar Lake processor has been essentially the most spectacular to me for handheld gaming programs, because it seems to strike the proper steadiness between nice efficiency and enabling lengthy gaming periods due to its energy effectivity.
If its Panther Lake processors take energy effectivity and efficiency a step additional, and AMD’s Medusa Level struggles to match them in that division, I can solely see Staff Blue dominating the cell processor market within the coming years, as handheld producers received’t be pressured to compromise on battery life.