The core configurations of Intel’s next-generation Panther Lake CPUs have been unveiled through a new Coreboot patch, indicating that these CPUs will feature up to 16 cores. Panther Lake CPUs are set to follow the Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake “Core Ultra 200” lineup, with their debut expected in the latter half of 2025.
These upcoming processors will be based on three new architectures: Lion Cove for performance cores (P-Cores), Skymont for efficient cores (E-Cores), and Xe2 for graphics cores. The Panther Lake series will be launched as the “Core Ultra 300” lineup.
According to the new Coreboot patch, four SKUs of Panther Lake CPUs have been detailed. The P-Cores will transition to Cougar Cove, while the E-Cores will use an optimized or updated version of Skymont, with potential changes to the naming close to the chip’s official release. On the GPU front, Panther Lake CPUs will incorporate the third major Xe architecture update, Xe3, codenamed Celestial. This will succeed the Xe2 “Battlemage” architecture, which debuts with Lunar Lake SoCs.
The SKUs mentioned in the Coreboot patch come in Panther Lake-H and Panther Lake-U variants with the following configurations:
1. PTL-H SKU #1: 4 P-Cores + 8 E-Cores + 0 LP-E Cores + 4 Xe3 Cores (45W)
2. PTL-H SKU #2: 4 P-Cores + 8 E-Cores + 4 LP-E Cores + 12 Xe3 Cores (25W)
3. PTL-H SKU #3: 4 P-Cores + 8 E-Cores + 4 LP-E Cores + 4 Xe3 Cores (25W)
4. PTL-U SKU #1: 4 P-Cores + 0 E-Cores + 4 LP-E Cores + 4 Xe3 Cores (15W)
The TDPs for these processors range between 25W and 45W, offering 12 to 16 cores depending on the SKU. The 45W processor is a 12-core variant with 4 P-Cores and 8 E-Cores, paired with 4 Xe3 cores. The two 25W SKUs feature 16 cores (4 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores, and 4 LP-E cores), and are available in 12 Xe3 and 4 Xe3 core variants. The Panther Lake-U SKU presents an 8-core configuration of 4 P-Cores and 4 E-Cores, with 4 Xe3 cores, set at a 15W TDP.
Intel’s current Meteor Lake CPUs max out at 6 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores, and 2 LP-E Cores. In comparison, Panther Lake CPUs appear to trade two P-Cores for extra LP-E cores. The more efficient LP-E cores are optimized for mobile tasks, and Skymont cores promise significant IPC (Instructions Per Clock) improvements.
Previous information has indicated power ratings for Panther Lake mobile SKUs, revealing configurations comparable to those detailed in the Coreboot patch. Max power ratings include 80W (with 45W TDP), 64W (with 28W TDP), and 54W (with 15W TDP).
Intel Panther Lake CPUs are reportedly on track for production in the first half of 2025, with signs of good progress. The Panther Lake series may not be released for desktop platforms, as an Arrow Lake-Refresh lineup is anticipated for next year’s desktop launch, to be followed by Nova Lake in 2026.
