The next generation of Intel mobile processors is heating up fast, and the Core Ultra X9 388H isn’t waiting for its official launch to make noise. This Panther Lake chip just surfaced on Geekbench, and the numbers are already putting pressure on both AMD and Intel’s own top-tier mobile CPUs. With 16 cores, a new Arc B390 iGPU, and a max boost clock of 5.1 GHz, the U9 X9 388H is already shaping up to be a serious challenger.
It won’t be long before hardware powered by this chip hits shelves. Leaks suggest devices like the Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable and OneXPlayer X1 could be among the first to debut it, possibly making a splash at CES 2026.
Core Ultra X9 388H mixes performance, efficiency, and low power cores
This isn’t a standard big-little configuration. The Core Ultra X9 388H features a mix of 4 Performance cores, 8 Efficient cores, and 4 Low Power cores Intel’s latest play to balance strength and endurance in one package. While Geekbench doesn’t break that structure down, it confirms the total core count at 16 with 5.1 GHz top speeds. That’s a solid ceiling, especially for mobile hardware expected to run between 65W and 80W.
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Arc B390 iGPU joins the party with Xe3 graphics power
Tucked inside the chip is Intel’s new Arc B390 integrated GPU. It carries 12 cores and uses the latest Xe3 architecture, which should offer a visible uplift over previous generations. That addition makes the Core Ultra X9 388H not just a CPU upgrade it’s a whole system improvement, especially for lightweight gaming or creative work without a discrete GPU.
Early benchmark puts Core Ultra X9 388H in elite company
In its Geekbench 6.5 test run, the chip pulled a 3,057 in single-core and 17,687 in multi-core with 64GB of RAM. Here’s what that means:
- It beats the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and Core Ultra 9 285H in both single and multi-core
- Single-core score matches the Core Ultra 9 285HX and edges past the Ryzen AI Max+ 395
- Multi-core trails the 285HX slightly but still holds close to AMD’s latest
What to expect from the Core Ultra X9 388H at launch
With launch devices expected next month, here’s what we know so far:
- 16-core layout (4P + 8E + 4LP)
- Boost up to 5.1 GHz
- Integrated Arc B390 GPU with 12 Xe3 cores
- Expected TDP between 65W and 80W
- Early performance on par or better than AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395
A powerful preview of what’s coming next
Intel isn’t just aiming to keep up it wants the crown. The Core Ultra X9 388H, backed by the Arc B390, suggests Panther Lake is more than just a refresh. And if these early numbers hold when real-world units ship, AMD’s top mobile silicon may finally have something serious to sweat.
