Intel brings its first processors for gaming handhelds this week
Intel is expected to announce its Arc G3 series for gaming handhelds on May 28, according to new information obtained by VideoCardz. The launch should cover Panther Lake-based chips designed for portable gaming systems, a product segment Intel already teased at CES 2026. This is the first time Intel will will make its own dedicated chips for gaming handhelds.
At CES, Intel showed its “Handhelds Unleashed” slide with several confirmed partners. The list included Acer, Compal, Foxconn, GPD, Inventec, Microsoft, MSI, OneXPlayer, Pegatron and Wistron . Not all of them are retail handheld brands. Several are ODMs and manufacturing partners, which suggests Intel is preparing a wider platform rather than a single reference design.
MSI and Acer leaks point to first Arc G3 handhelds
MSI is already linked to the new platform through the Claw 8 EX AI+ . Retail listings have mentioned Arc G3 Extreme, 32GB of memory, a 1TB SSD, an 8-inch 1920×1200 120Hz display, Wi-Fi 7 and an 80Wh battery. One European listing also mentioned a Launch Pack version, suggesting MSI is preparing accessories or a launch bundle for the new Intel-based Claw.
Source: Intel
Acer is also preparing a new handheld , currently known as Predator Atlas 8. According to our information, this device is expected to use Intel’s Arc G3 platform. The branding suggests Acer may move its handheld plans from Nitro Blaze to Predator, after only one of the previously announced Nitro Blaze models reached the market.
Arc G3 Specs
Intel has not yet shared official Arc G3 specifications. Based on earlier information (which we exclusively shared), the handheld lineup should include Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme chips . Both are expected to use a 14-core CPU layout with 2 P-cores, 8 E-cores and 4 LP-cores. The G3 Extreme variant reportedly uses a 12-core Xe3 GPU, while the standard G3 model uses a 10-core Xe3 GPU.
The May 28 announcement would arrive just before Computex, where the first Arc G3 handhelds are expected to be shown.
| Intel Panther Lake Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VideoCardz | CPU Cores⤵️ | Max CPU Clock | GPU Cores | Max GPU Clock | Memory Support |
| Intel G3 Series (Gaming Handhelds) | |||||
| Arc G3 Extreme⬅️ | 14C (2P+8E+4LP) | 4.7 GHz | Arc B390 12 Xe3 | 2.3 GHz | LP5/X-8533 |
| Arc G3 ⬅️ | 14C (2P+8E+4LP) | 4.6 GHz | Arc B370 10 Xe3 | 2.2 GHz | LP5/X-8533 |
| Intel Core Ultra 300 Series (TDP 25W+) | |||||
| Core Ultra X9 388H | 16C (4P+8E+4LP) | 5.1 GHz | Arc B390 12 Xe3 | 2.5 GHz | LP5/X-9600 |
| Core Ultra 9 386H | 16C (4P+8E+4LP) | 4.9 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 2.5 GHz | LP5/X-8533, D5-7200 |
| Core Ultra X7 368H | 16C (4P+8E+4LP) | 5.0 GHz | Arc B390 12 Xe3 | 2.5 GHz | LP5/X-9600 |
| Core Ultra 7 366H | 16C (4P+8E+4LP) | 4.8 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 2.3 GHz | LP5/X-8533, D5-7200 |
| Core Ultra X7 358H | 16C (4P+8E+4LP) | 4.8 GHz | Arc B390 12 Xe3 | 2.5 GHz | LP5/X-9600 |
| Core Ultra 7 356H | 16C (4P+8E+4LP) | 4.7 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 2.45 GHz | LP5/X-8533, D5-7200 |
| Core Ultra 5 338H | 12C (4P+4E+4LP) | 4.7 GHz | Arc B370 10 Xe3 | 2.4 GHz | LP5/X-8533 |
| Core Ultra 5 336H | 12C (4P+4E+4LP) | 4.6 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 2.5 GHz | LP5/X-8533, D5-7200 |
| Core Ultra 7 365 | 8C (4P+0E+4LP) | 4.8 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 2.5 GHz | LP5/X-6800, D5-6400 |
| Core Ultra 7 355 | 8C (4P+0E+4LP) | 4.7 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 2.5 GHz | LP5/X-6800, D5-6400 |
| Core Ultra 5 335 | 8C (4P+0E+4LP) | 4.6 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 2.45 GHz | LP5/X-6800, D5-6400 |
| Core Ultra 5 325 | 8C (4P+0E+4LP) | 4.5 GHz | 4 Xe3 | 2.45 GHz | LP5/X-6800, D5-6400 |
| Core Ultra 5 332 | 6C (2P+0E+4LP) | 4.4 GHz | 2 Xe3 | 2.3 GHz | LP5/X-6800, D5-6400 |
| Core Ultra 5 322 | 6C (2P+0E+4LP) | 4.4 GHz | 2 Xe3 | 2.3 GHz | LP5/X-6800, D5-6400 |
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