Intel Graphics 4 Xe-Cores (Panther Lake): 1080p for Less-Demanding Games, AAA Titles Only on Low Settings

Intel Graphics 4 Xe-Cores is the integrated Xe3 graphics solution for Panther Lake with four Xe-cores, while the lower-end version has two, and the Arc B370 and B390 have ten and twelve, respectively. It scores around 2800 points in the 3DMark Time Spy Graphics test. That is enough for Counter-Strike 2 at 1080p, but Cyberpunk 2077 already requires switching to low settings.

Performance is sufficient for esports games, but in modern AAA titles, four Xe-cores quickly run up against the 30 FPS mark.

Four Xe-cores are used in Core Ultra Series 3 processors in the Ultra 5, Ultra 7, and Ultra 9 classes. Therefore, the Core Ultra 9 designation alone does not indicate more powerful integrated graphics: the Core Ultra 5 325 and Core Ultra 9 386H may use the same GPU configuration.

One GPU, but up to a 48% Difference Between Laptops

In 3DMark Time Spy Graphics, the tested laptops score between 2117 and 3136 points. The median is approximately 2900 points.

The difference between the slowest and fastest results reaches 48%.

The Core Ultra 5 325 in the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 scores 2905 points, while the MSI Prestige 13 with the Core Ultra 9 386H scores 2391. Power limits, cooling, and memory configuration all affect the result.

Therefore, when choosing a laptop for gaming, it is not enough to look only at the processor designation-two laptops with the same iGPU can differ noticeably in performance.

Intel Graphics 4 Xe-Cores Gaming Tests

Dota 2 runs at 82 FPS on high settings and 78 FPS on Ultra.

Counter-Strike 2 at 1080p Low runs at around 79 FPS, while Medium delivers 59 FPS. To move noticeably above 60 FPS, settings have to be lowered to Low.

In GTA V, you can expect roughly 51 FPS at 1080p High without a discrete graphics card.

Cyberpunk 2077 delivers around 37 FPS at 1080p Low and 28 FPS at Medium. For a more stable frame rate, you will need to use XeSS or FSR, or reduce the render resolution.

Baldur's Gate 3 stays near 30 FPS only on low settings.

Black Myth: Wukong runs at around 18 FPS on Low. Even reducing the resolution and using upscaling does not guarantee a stable 30 FPS.

Four Xe-Cores vs. Two

The first tested Panther Lake system with Intel Graphics 2 Xe-Cores scored 1362 points in Time Spy Graphics. The average result for the four-Xe-core version is 2838 points.

The difference exceeds 100%, but it is still too early to consider this exact twofold scaling. Far fewer results are available for the two-Xe-core version, while Intel Graphics 4 Xe-Cores has already been tested in numerous laptops.

Even taking the smaller sample for the lower-end version into account, four Xe-cores are noticeably faster than two. Two Xe-cores are intended primarily for everyday tasks and less-demanding games, while four already allow Counter-Strike 2, GTA V, and some modern titles to run properly at 1080p.

Arc B370 and B390 Are Much Faster

The Arc B370 has 10 Xe-cores, while the Arc B390 has 12, compared with four in Intel Graphics 4 Xe-Cores.

Therefore, the Core Ultra 9 386H with Intel Graphics 4 Xe-Cores should not be confused with the Core Ultra X9 388H and its Arc B390. The difference in the processor names is small, but the number of Xe-cores differs threefold.

If you need high gaming performance without a discrete graphics card, the Arc B370-and especially the B390-are in a higher class.

Is It Worth Buying a Laptop with Intel Graphics 4 Xe-Cores?

For work, multimedia, and occasional gaming, a discrete graphics card is not essential with this iGPU.

It is not worth paying extra to move from the Core Ultra 5 to the Core Ultra 9 solely for integrated graphics. In the table, the Core Ultra 5 325 scores higher than the Core Ultra 9 386H, so the higher-end CPU does not guarantee higher iGPU performance.

If the laptop is being purchased primarily for gaming, it is better to look for a Panther Lake model with the Arc B370 or Arc B390.

Conclusion

Intel Graphics 4 Xe-Cores can handle not only work and video playback but also 1080p gaming. It is capable of running esports and older games, while modern AAA titles require low settings and upscaling.

Results vary by almost one and a half times between different laptops, so the processor model alone says little about integrated graphics performance.

Intel Graphics 4 Xe-Cores is suitable for an all-purpose laptop used for occasional gaming. For demanding games, it is better to choose Panther Lake with the Arc B370 or B390.