Intel Core Ultra 300 lineup: only “X” models to feature full 12 Xe3 Cores

Intel Core Ultra 300 Series adds naming confusion

Intel Panther Lake will be the first product to feature the Xe3 graphics architecture. This low-power variant, most likely called Xe3-LPG, will serve as an early look at what Intel plans to launch later under its discrete desktop lineup codenamed “Celestial” or Arc C-Series. So far, nothing suggests otherwise.

Meanwhile, we are trying to decode Intel’s Panther Lake SKU naming scheme, and some clarification comes from Golden Pig Upgrade, who has close connections with Intel sources and has shared a brief but useful explanation of the naming logic. Apparently, the SKU names include key information about graphics configurations.

The SKU called Ultra X9 388H is rumored to be the highest configuration in the lineup. This SKU not only adds the “X” designation but also introduces a new numbering pattern. Assuming it replaces the Core Ultra 9 285H, the “5” changing to “8” essentially refers to the graphics configuration.

From this, we can learn that only “X” SKUs will feature 12 Xe-Cores, available exclusively with the Ultra X9 and Ultra X7 models. Additionally, 3_8 SKUs will include at least 10 Xe3 Cores—this likely covers the Ultra 5 338H, which is expected to feature 10 GPU cores rather than 12.

Intel Core 300 Series Panther Lake-H

• Core Ultra X ➡️ 12 Xe Cores ?
• 3_8 ➡️ 10-12 Xe3 Cores ?
• 3_6 ➡️ < 10 Xe3 Cores ?

The reason Intel is changing its SKU naming again is because there is no direct Lunar Lake successor in this generation. Lunar Lake used Mobile-on-Package (MoP) memory, and the SKU numbers (8 and 6) referred to memory capacities—32 GB and 16 GB, respectively. Since Panther Lake does not include on-package memory, these numbers have been reassigned. Instead of discarding that system, Intel has adopted a mixed naming convention that blends elements of the H-Series and V-Series.

So far, four SKUs are known (listed below). The 388H is expected to offer the full configuration of 4 P-Cores, 4 E-Cores, and 4 LP E-Cores, along with 12 Xe3 Cores.

Source: Golden Pig Upgrade