It’s been a hot minute since Intel launched its Arc G3 Series processors for the gaming handheld segment, and since our review of the G3 Extreme through the MSI Claw EX 8 AI+, we haven’t really stopped singing praises of it. Now it is being alleged that the blue chipmaker is already working on another lower tier SKU.
The rumours stems, yet again, from popular leakster Jaykihn, who simply posted a message on X: Panther Lake 4+0+4+4 handheld. Beyond that, the post is devoid of further detail and information. The core count and configuration are interesting, suggesting that the lower tier Arc G3 SKU may be made up of four P-Cores, zero E-Cores, four Low Power (LP) E-Cores, and four Xe3 GPU cores.
Less Cores, Still As Powerful?
For context, both the Arc G3 Extreme and non-Extreme G3 have a total of 14 CPU cores, assembled in a 2+8+4 configuration. The difference between the two lies with their Xe3 GPU core: G3 Extreme model ships out with 12 cores, while the non-Extreme has 10 cores.
Specs-wise, the Arc G3 Extreme has a CPU boost clock of 4.7GHz for its P-Cores, while the non-Extreme G3 is just 100MHz slower at 4.6GHz. The iGPUs are different as well, with the Extreme model running on the more powerful Arc B390, while the Arc B370 powered the non-Extreme G3. That said, it should be noted that the latter APU hasn’t actually seen released; handhelds with the G3 Extreme have so far been paving the way.
Whatever the case, one thing that’s clear — assuming that this turns out to be true — is that Intel seems to be preemptively expanding the G3 handheld lineup. Again, the G3 Extreme APU is nothing short of powerful and surprising, to say nothing of its original Panther Lake form. The only issue here is the price of the handhelds they are attached to: off the shelf, an Arc G3 Extreme-powered handheld retails well above the RM7,000 mark. To that end, having a less powerful APU could also give handheld gamers a gateway to the market without blowing out their wallets, but that obviously hinges on just how much higher the price of memory chips is going to be as well.
(Source: Videocardz, X)
