Integrated graphics performance approaching that of entry-level dedicated GPUs is poised to reshape the ultrathin laptop market. Early benchmarks of Intel’s Core Ultra 5 338H processor suggest genuinely playable gaming experiences are now possible in extremely portable devices without the need for a discrete graphics card.
Core Ultra 5 338H: 35W Sample and Specifications
Notebookcheck recently tested an early engineering sample of the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H, stabilized at 35W. This Panther Lake chip features a hybrid architecture with 12 cores – 4 P-cores, 4 E-cores, and 4 LP E-cores – and a turbo boost up to 4.7 GHz.
The platform supports LPDDR5X memory up to 8533 MT/s. The integrated Arc B370 iGPU features 10 Xe-cores with a maximum dynamic frequency of 2.4 GHz. This development signals a potential shift in how manufacturers approach graphics capabilities in ultraportable laptops.
CPU and Arc B370 iGPU Performance
In CPU-bound tests, the Core Ultra 5 338H generally performed on par with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 in similar 45W and 35W configurations, according to Notebookcheck. Intel demonstrated an advantage in single-core performance, while AMD led in multi-core tasks.
In GPU tests, the Arc B370 achieved a score of 5933 in 3DMark Time Spy. The Arc B390, depending on the system, reached 6679 and 7910 points. This difference positions the B390 at least 13% above the B370, or the B370 11% below, depending on the measurement.
On Steel Nomad, the B370 scored 1376 points compared to 1667 points for the B390 – a 21% advantage for the B390, or a 17% deficit for the B370. Both GPUs significantly outperformed older Intel Arc Graphics 140V and 140T iGPUs.
These results are based on an engineering sample; commercial performance will depend on final frequencies, drivers, and OEM power limits. Notebookcheck anticipates the first PCs equipped with the Core Ultra 5 338H and Arc B370 will arrive “in the coming weeks.”
If these levels hold up in production machines, the Arc B370 could challenge the appeal of lower-finish, constrained RTX 4050 Laptop GPUs in 35–45W configurations. Integrators will determine the final performance hierarchy through thermal budgets and LPDDR5X memory choices, which are critical for iGPU bandwidth.
Source: VideoCardz
