At the CES 2026, chipset major Intel has unveiled Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors which it expects to be their most broadly adopted and globally available AI PC platform. The Intel Core Ultra Series 3, codenamed Panther Lake, is the first AI PC platform built on Intel 18A process technology designed and manufactured in the United States and powers over 200 designs from leading, global partners. The Series 3 processors are meant for multi-tasking and advanced workloads like gaming, and productivity on the go.
“With Series 3, we are laser focused on improving power efficiency, adding more CPU performance, a bigger GPU in a class of its own, more AI compute and app compatibility you can count on with x86,” Jim Johnson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Client Computing Group, Intel, said at the CES 2026 launch event.
The new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors are built to keep up with the rhythm of your day. They combine three types of next‑generation cores into one smart chip, delivering the perfect balance of speed, efficiency, and endurance.
Performance-cores (P-cores): Designed for snappy, responsive experiences. Whether you’re editing, gaming, or running demanding apps, these cores give you the raw power you need.
Efficient-cores (E-cores): Optimized for multitasking and parallel workloads. They handle background processes and heavy multi-threaded tasks smoothly, so you can do more at once without slowdowns.
Low Power Efficient-cores (LP E-cores): Tailored for everyday tasks with minimal energy use. They keep your laptop running longer while managing lighter workloads like browsing, streaming, or note-taking.
First platform built on Intel 18A: At CES 2026, Intel launched the Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 3 processors, the first compute platform built on Intel 18A - the most advanced semiconductor process ever developed and manufactured in the United States.
Powering over 200 PC designs: Series 3 delivers a robust family of processors powering hundreds of designs up and down the stack, all delivering exceptional performance, graphics and battery life.
From PC to Edge: For the first time, Series 3 processors are tested and certified for embedded and industrial use cases at the edge like robotics, smart cities, automation, healthcare, and more.
Together, these cores form Intel’s latest mobile architecture, a breakthrough that means your battery lasts as long as you do. From morning meetings to late-night streaming, your device stays fast, cool, and efficient, helping you work, play, and multitask without compromise.
Within the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 mobile lineup, a new class of Intel Core Ultra X9 and X7 processors come packed with the highest performing, integrated Intel® Arc™ graphics. They are purpose-built for multitaskers that handle advanced workloads like gaming, creation and productivity on the go. The top SKUs feature up to 16 CPU cores, 12 Xe -cores and 50 NPU TOPS, delivering up to 60% better multithread performance over 77% faster gaming performance and up to 27 hours of battery life.
The Series 3 family also includes Intel Core processors, intentionally designed to power mainstream mobile systems. Leveraging the same foundational architecture of Intel Core Ultra Series 3, the Intel Core lineup enables more performant and efficient laptop designs at lower price points.
Besides the PC, Intel says Series 3 edge processors are certified for embedded and industrial use cases, including round-the-clock reliability, extended temperature ranges, and deterministic performance.
AI workloads with up to 1.9x higher large language model (LLM) performance
Up to 2.3x better performance per watt per dollar on end-to-end video analytics
Up to 4.5x higher throughput on vision language action models.
Besides, Intel says the integrated AI acceleration enables superior total cost of ownership (TCO) through a single system on chip (SoC) solution versus traditional multi-chip CPU and GPU architectures.
Pre-orders for the first consumer laptops powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors will begin January 6, 2026. Systems will be available globally starting January 27, 2026, with additional designs coming throughout the first half of the year.
Edge systems powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 will be available starting Q2 2026, Intel said.
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