This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you possibly can go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.ign.com/articles/exclusive-intel-is-making-its-own-handheld-gaming-pc-chips-at-ces-2026
and if you wish to take away this text from our web site please contact us
Last yr, Intel had the most effective iGPU available on the market. This yr, it’s damaged that document by over 70% with Panther Lake and it is an enormous win for handhelds.
“We’ve overdelivered” is how Intel CEO Lip Bu Tan categorized the Panther Lake launch throughout the firm’s CES 2026 Keynote deal with, and that basically does appear to be the case. But the actual spotlight of the keynote speech wasn’t the engineering behind Panther Lake, however moderately the iGPU and the “handheld ecosystem” Intel is constructing to capitalize on the iGPU’s efficiency features.
Formerly often known as the 12 Xe-core variant, the brand new Intel Arc B390 iGPU provides as much as 77% quicker gaming efficiency over Lunar Lake’s Arc 140V graphics chip. Intel’s VP and General Manager of PC Products, Dan Rogers detailed the Arc B390’s efficiency features and introduced a “whole ecosystem” of gaming handhelds. That ecosystem consists of partnerships with MSI, Acer, Microsoft, CPD, Foxconn, and Pegatron. So we’ll lastly see extra Intel handhelds hit the market.
Panther Lake’s iGPU is Truly Absurd
Back when Intel first unveiled Panther Lake in October, the chip’s gaming efficiency was touted as 50% higher than Lunar Lake, and 40% higher efficiency per watt over Arrow Lake. However, at CES Intel upped that expectation by a major margin. Not solely is Panther Lake’s Arc B390 as much as 77% higher than Lunar Lake’s Arc 140V iGPU, it’s additionally 73% higher on common than AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370’s RDNA 3.5 iGPU.
And it’s even 10% higher than the RTX 4050 cellular. Sure, the RTX 5050 cellular does have a little bit of an edge, however the Arc B390 is additional proof that iGPU gaming is punching well-above its weight class.
Combined with Intel’s new XeSS 3 software program with 4x multi-frame technology, Panther Lake’s iGPU might very nicely substitute your previous, outdated desktop.
A Handheld-Exclusive CPU
Since Intel’s Core Ultra 300 Panther Lake chip is constructed on Intel’s proprietary 18A Foundry course of node, it may be reduce in a wide range of completely different die slices.
According to sources at Intel near the matter, the corporate is planning a hardware-specific variant or variants of the Panther Lake CPU die. Currently branded as “Intel Core G3” these processors will likely be custom-built for handhelds. That means Intel can spec the chips to supply higher efficiency on the GPU the place you need it, with potential for even higher efficiency than the present Arc B390 expectations.
This is additional indication that Intel plans to lean closely into the hand-held gaming PC section, which Intel first hinted at last year. Combined with the “Handheld Ecosystem” announcement, this can be a clear win for players.
The Real Winner is Gamers
The Intel Core G3 processors will reap the total advantages of the brand new Arc B390 iGPU, and Intel handhelds could lastly be an actual menace to AMD’s handheld management.
Intel has had a number of handhelds over the previous few years, however the first MSI Claw was a infamous flop. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ and MSI Claw 7 AI+ had been important enhancements over the earlier technology, however they had been the one Intel handhelds accessible on the US market from a serious model. The Tencent Sunday Dragon 3D One was additionally debuted final yr, nevertheless it was an experimental design that was by no means given a full world-wide manufacturing launch. A model of that handheld launched because the Abxylute 3D One handheld, although it hardly made an impression on the hand-held market attributable to poor reception.
While Intel had an early lead with the MSI Claw 8 AI+’s Arc 140V iiGPU efficiency, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X took the lead again for AMD with the brand new Ryzen Z2 Extreme which was a serious win for the Ryzen Z2 collection as a complete. However, the Intel G3 might change issues again in Intel’s favor.
With Intel handhelds now being made by MSI and Acer with {custom} CPUs constructed only for handhelds, AMD will see some actual competitors within the gaming house. And every time AMD and Intel have severe competitors, the true winner is players who get higher efficiency from their {hardware} as each firms push one another to higher and higher heights.
Madeline (She/Her) is a contributing author at IGN. She’s been writing about comics, tech, and gaming since 2013. Her byline has appeared at websites like Laptop Mag, PCMag, TechRadar, Tom’s Guide, CGMagazine, and Bleeding Cool.
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you possibly can go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.ign.com/articles/exclusive-intel-is-making-its-own-handheld-gaming-pc-chips-at-ces-2026
and if you wish to take away this text from our web site please contact us
