Intel officially launched its Core Ultra Series 3 processors (codename Panther Lake) at CES 2026, marking a critical milestone in the company’s return to market leadership. These processors utilize Intel’s proprietary 18A process technology and represent the first advanced process chips manufactured entirely in the United States, delivering significant performance improvements and earning strong market approval with a 6.5% stock price increase.
US-Made Advanced 18A Process Technology
The Core Ultra Series 3 processors are the first compute platform built on Intel 18A process technology—the most advanced semiconductor process ever developed and manufactured in the United States. Intel employs its latest 18A process for CPU cores while utilizing the Intel 3 process node for the smaller 4-Xe GPU components.
This technological breakthrough demonstrates Intel’s capabilities in semiconductor manufacturing and represents an important symbol of US semiconductor manufacturing autonomy. Against the backdrop of increasingly fierce global chip manufacturing competition, Intel’s achievement carries strategic significance.
Significant Performance Improvements
The flagship Core Ultra Series 3 models feature up to 16 CPU cores, 12 Xe-cores, and 50 TOPS NPU performance, delivering substantial improvements across all performance metrics:
- 60% Better Multithread Performance: Dramatically improved multitasking and professional application performance
- Over 77% Faster Gaming Performance: Integrated graphics performance comparable to RTX 4050 discrete laptop GPUs
- Up to 27 Hours Battery Life: Balancing high performance with extended usage requirements
The processor architecture includes up to 8 Cougar Cove Performance Cores (P-Cores), 4 Darkmont Efficiency Cores (E-Cores), and 4 Low Power Efficiency Cores (LP E-Cores), achieving optimal balance between performance and power consumption through hybrid architecture.
Complete Product Lineup and Application Range
Intel offers Core Ultra 7, Core Ultra 9, and premium Core X7 and Core X9 series, with the X series featuring 12 Xe graphics cores compared to the standard four cores, providing more powerful graphics computing capabilities.
These processors will power over 200 laptop designs from leading global partners, becoming Intel’s most broadly adopted and globally available AI PC platform ever delivered.
Expansion to Edge Computing Applications
Core Ultra Series 3 processors are, for the first time, tested and certified for embedded and industrial use cases, applicable to edge computing scenarios including:
- Robotics technology
- Smart city infrastructure
- Industrial automation
- Healthcare devices
This expansion demonstrates Intel’s focus not only on consumer markets but also on aggressive positioning in industrial and IoT AI applications.
Market Availability Timeline
The first consumer laptops powered by Core Ultra Series 3 processors opened for pre-orders on January 6, 2026, with global availability starting January 27, 2026. Additional designs will launch throughout the first half of the year.
Stock Market and Industry Reaction
Intel stock surged 6.5% during the trading session following the announcement, reflecting high market expectations for these processors. Analysts believe the Core Ultra Series 3 launch marks a critical moment in Intel’s transformation plan, demonstrating major breakthroughs in process technology and product competitiveness.
The successful launch injects new momentum into Intel’s competition with AMD, Qualcomm, and other rivals in the AI PC market. As AI functionality becomes standard equipment in laptops, Intel leverages 18A process technology and powerful NPU performance to re-solidify its leadership position in the PC processor market.
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