Intel Panther Lake Leak Points to 12 SKUs and Confusing Naming

Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake lineup has apparently leaked once again, revealing what could be the company’s most segmented mobile CPU family yet. According to the latest leak, Intel plans to launch a total of 12 SKUs in the first wave, split evenly across its premium, mainstream, and ultra-low-power series.

The leak not only reaffirms earlier information about iGPU configurations but also sheds light on the confusing naming scheme that seems destined to puzzle even the most devoted enthusiasts.

The lineup reportedly consists of four Core Ultra X models, four regular Core Ultra chips, and four from the U-series aimed at power efficiency. The most interesting part is the addition of a lower-tier Core Ultra 5 X338H, which seems to bridge the gap between the X and non-X lines. This chip, however, slightly deviates from expectations by including just ten Xe3 GPU cores, instead of the twelve rumored for other X variants. It’s a curious move that suggests Intel is reserving its full Xe3 power for top-end configurations like the Core Ultra 9 X388H and Ultra 7 X368H, both of which sport a 4P + 8E + 4LP-E CPU layout paired with 12 Xe3 GPU cores.

In contrast, the regular Core Ultra series – models such as the 375H and 355H – feature the same 4P + 8E configuration but are downgraded to just four Xe3 cores on the iGPU side. This sharp reduction marks a clear distinction between tiers, implying that Intel wants the X-branded chips to stand out in both performance and graphics capabilities. Meanwhile, the low-power U-series models, like the Core Ultra 7 360U and Core Ultra 5 340U, stick to efficient 6–8 core CPU setups with just 4 Xe3 GPU cores, making them ideal for ultrabooks and thin devices rather than performance laptops.

What’s causing a stir online is not only the specs themselves but Intel’s apparent identity crisis in naming. Previous reports referred to chips as Core Ultra X7/X9 3X8H, while this new leak flips the order to Core Ultra 7/9 X3X8H. Though it seems trivial, enthusiasts point out that this inconsistency makes it difficult to identify what’s high-end and what’s not. The potential introduction of both ‘X5’ and ‘X7’ naming conventions within the same family only deepens the confusion.

The leaked table shows that Panther Lake will carry forward the hybrid core philosophy – featuring performance (Cougar Cove), efficiency (Darkmont), and low-power efficiency (Skymont) cores – but the balance of GPU and CPU resources appears to have shifted again. Intel’s goal may be to streamline SKUs for different market segments, yet to many, it feels like an endless PowerPoint exercise of reshuffling numbers and letters.

As one tech watcher put it, “Intel seems to be chasing its own tail with branding. You need a PhD in Intelology just to figure out what’s faster.” Others have pointed out that despite the architecture changes, the actual CPU core counts suggest Intel might be revisiting quad-core dominance for mainstream chips, something that feels like a throwback to the pre-Alder Lake era. The blend of hybrid cores and reduced GPU units raises questions about where Intel truly wants to position Panther Lake – between power efficiency and real innovation.

Ultimately, while the specs look credible and match previously leaked details, it’s essential to remember that nothing is official until Intel confirms it. The full naming scheme, performance tiers, and iGPU configurations could still change before release. But for now, one thing’s certain: the Panther Lake story is shaping up to be as complex as Intel’s ever-growing family tree.