Arc G3: Intel brings Panther Lake derivatives for gaming handhelds

Most Windows gaming handhelds, i.e., 8-inch devices like the Steam Deck or Nintendo's Switch console, use processors from AMD. The chip manufacturer specifically has the Z1 and Z2 series in its portfolio for this purpose, which, unlike regular notebook processors, do not use the Ryzen name. Intel is now following in exactly these footsteps: Manufacturers can now get the Arc G3 or the slightly stronger Arc G3 Extreme for such devices.

Another analogy to AMD: Even though the brand name Core Ultra is not used for the newcomers, the chips are technically based on these chips – specifically on Panther Lake alias Core Ultra 300. Intel has not launched new chiplets or combinations for Arc G3, but has modified an already known one: it is the combination of a large CPU and a large GPU chiplet that Intel has sold as Core Ultra X9 and X7 so far.

Unlike these, only two out of four P-cores are active in the CPU chiplet. However, all eight E-cores remain available, whereas some well-known Core Ultra 5 with Panther Lake internals lacks one of the two quad clusters. This new binning variant should help Intel further increase its manufacturing yield. Only now is there a use for a chiplet where one or two P-cores are defective.

In the integrated graphics unit, there is the Arc B390 with all twelve Xe3 cores in the Arc G3 Extreme; the Arc G3 uses the Arc B370 with ten of them. Intel also offers both Arc variants in the same form for notebook models. Apart from two P-cores (and a few hundred megahertz clock speed), the structure of the Arc G3 Extreme is very similar to the well-known Core Ultra X7 358H.

Less waste heat

While the latter is allowed to consume at least 25 watts (and much more with Turbo), according to the data sheet, the Arc G3 models are more modest. To fit into compact handhelds, Intel allows operation between 8 and 30 watts (Arc G3) or 35 watts (Arc G3 Extreme). How much is actually available depends on the respective device and its cooling system – and also whether the manufacturer allows more when connected to a power adapter than on battery power.

According to Intel, the first handhelds with Arg G3 (Extreme) should be available as early as June. One of the first providers will be MSI, with a new edition of the Gaming Handheld Claw 8. The Claw was already one of the few exceptions that did not have AMD internals, but Intel – initially Core Ultra 100 (Meteor Lake) and later Core Ultra 200V (Lunar Lake). In addition, according to Intel, Acer (Predator Atlas 8) and OneXPlayer are also in the starting blocks.

(mue)