Quick Verdict
A very capable mobile workstation and AI‑oriented SoC with strong multi‑threaded CPU performance, a potent integrated GPU and best‑in‑class NPU for its power envelope, though absolute CPU performance still trails higher‑TDP gaming chips and Apple’s latest Pro silicion.
Overview
Launch
2026
Status
LaunchedGeneration
Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake‑H)
Market
Mobile Workstation / High-End Laptop
The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H is a 16-core mobile SoC from the Panther Lake family, combining four Cougar Cove P‑cores, eight Skymont E‑cores and four Crestmont LP E‑cores with a 12‑core Arc B390 iGPU and a 50 TOPS NPU, aimed at high‑end laptops and mobile workstations.
Intel’s Core Ultra X7 368H sits near the top of the Panther Lake‑H stack. It uses a hybrid 16‑core layout (4 P‑cores, 8 E‑cores, 4 LP E‑cores) with a 25 W base power that can boost up to 80 W, giving it significant headroom for bursty workloads. The integrated Arc B390 GPU with 12 Xe3‑class cores is substantially faster than typical integrated graphics and competitive with low‑end discrete GPUs, while the 50 TOPS NPU targets on‑device AI and Copilot+ experiences.
It’s best suited for mobile workstations, AI dev laptops, and high‑end business rigs where efficiency and GPU/NPU matter more than raw CPU multi‑thread dominance.
Specifications
Performance
Strong multi‑threaded performance for a 25 W mobile part, especially in workloads that can leverage the hybrid core mix and the NPU/GPU for acceleration.
Good VM and container performance thanks to 16 cores and VT‑x/VT‑d support, but limited memory capacity (96 GB) and no ECC may constrain some professional use cases.
The Arc B390 iGPU provides playable 1080p gaming in many titles and is competitive with low‑end discrete GPUs, but CPU‑heavy games and high‑refresh‑rate scenarios still favor higher‑TDP gaming chips.
Excellent performance per watt in its nominal 25 W power envelope, with aggressive turbo that scales well when cooling allows.
- •12‑core Arc B390 iGPU significantly faster than typical Intel integrated graphics.
- •Suitable for 1080p medium/high and some 1440p gaming at reduced settings.
- •Best experience in GPU‑bound titles; CPU‑heavy or high‑refresh‑rate games still favor higher‑TDP HX‑class CPUs.
- •50 TOPS NPU for INT8 inference, suitable for local LLMs and image generation.
- •GPU contributes additional AI performance via Xe Matrix Extensions (XMX).
- •Well‑positioned for Copilot+ PC and on‑device AI workloads.
Architecture
Intel 18A (compute tile) / TSMC N3E (GPU tile)
Process Node
Panther Lake
Codename
16C / 16T
Core Config
18 MB
L3 Cache
25 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
Panther Lake‑H is Intel’s first high‑end mobile architecture on the Intel 18A node, using a chiplet design with a compute tile, a GPU tile and a platform controller tile. The X7 368H combines 4 high‑performance Cougar Cove P‑cores, 8 throughput‑oriented Skymont E‑cores and 4 low‑power Crestmont LP E‑cores in a 16‑core, 16‑thread configuration without Hyper‑Threading.
CPU Design
The P‑cores target latency‑sensitive and ST‑bound workloads with high boost frequencies up to 5 GHz. The E‑cores handle background and throughput tasks, while the LP E‑cores offload housekeeping and idle‑state work to save power. Intel’s Thread Director schedules threads between core types and the NPU/GPU for AI‑offload.
Memory Subsystem
An integrated memory controller supports dual‑channel LPDDR5X up to 9600 MT/s with a maximum capacity of 96 GB, providing high bandwidth for CPU, GPU and NPU while keeping power low compared to DDR5 solutions.
PCIe & I/O
12 PCIe lanes from the CPU are split between PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, typically used for a fast NVMe SSD and some chipset downlink lanes, complemented by additional lanes from the PCH.
Overclocking
The multiplier is locked and the SoC is designed for OEM‑controlled turbo and power limits rather than manual overclocking.
- Move from Intel 7 / 4 to Intel 18A compute tile with improved efficiency and density.
- New Cougar Cove / Skymont / Crestmont hybrid core complex replacing Redwood Cove / Crestmont.
- Much larger Arc B390 iGPU with 12 Xe3 cores instead of smaller Xe2‑class iGPU.
- Integrated 50 TOPS NPU 5 vs earlier small AI Boost blocks.
Key Highlights
- 16 hybrid cores with strong ST and MT performance for 25 W base power.
- Arc B390 iGPU with 12 Xe3 cores delivers best‑in‑class integrated graphics and compute.
- 50 TOPS NPU enables serious on‑device AI and Copilot+ experiences.
- LPDDR5X‑9600 support provides high memory bandwidth in a low‑power envelope.
- Full vPro enterprise manageability and security features.
- No Hyper‑Threading; 16 threads may limit some heavily threaded workloads vs 24‑thread HX parts.
- Max 96 GB non‑ECC memory may be restrictive for large workstations.
- Locked multiplier and OEM‑dependent power limits reduce tuning flexibility.
- Absolute CPU performance still below higher‑TDP gaming CPUs and Apple M5 Pro/Max in some scenarios.
- New architecture and 18A node still have limited long‑term field data.
History
The Core Ultra X7 368H emerged from Intel’s Panther Lake program, which the company first detailed in late 2025 as the cornerstone of its Core Ultra Series 3 client lineup. Panther Lake represents Intel’s shift to the 18A node for client CPUs, combining new Cougar Cove P‑cores, Skymont E‑cores and Crestmont LP E‑cores in a chiplet design with a separate Xe3‑class GPU tile on TSMC N3E and a platform controller on N6. The X7 and X9 brands were introduced to denote SKUs with the full 12‑Xe3‑core iGPU, targeting gamers, creators and AI‑heavy users who want strong integrated graphics without a discrete GPU.
The 368H launched in early 2026 as the high‑end vPro‑eligible X7 model, appearing first in Dell’s Pro Precision 5 mobile workstations and similar business/creator laptops. It reflects Intel’s strategic bet that large integrated GPUs and NPUs can displace low‑end discrete GPUs in premium mobile platforms, while also validating Intel’s 18A process technology in high‑volume consumer products.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Move from Intel 7 / 4 to Intel 18A compute tile with improved efficiency and density.
- New Cougar Cove / Skymont / Crestmont hybrid core complex replacing Redwood Cove / Crestmont.
- Much larger Arc B390 iGPU with 12 Xe3 cores instead of smaller Xe2‑class iGPU.
- Integrated 50 TOPS NPU 5 vs earlier small AI Boost blocks.
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
High‑end laptop or mobile workstation where AI, GPU and efficiency matter more than extreme CPU multi‑thread performance.
Avoid if…
- You need the absolute fastest mobile CPU for gaming or CPU‑heavy rendering.
- You require ECC memory or more than 96 GB RAM.
- You want a desktop‑class upgrade path or socketed motherboard.
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The X7 branding within Core Ultra Series 3 denotes the fully‑enabled 12‑Xe3‑core iGPU, distinguishing it from Ultra 7/9 models with fewer GPU cores.
Panther Lake is Intel’s first high‑volume client chip family on the Intel 18A node, a key test of Intel’s foundry roadmap.
The 368H uses a chiplet design with the CPU compute tile on Intel 18A and the GPU tile on TSMC N3E, mixing leading foundry nodes.
Despite having 16 cores, the 368H has only 16 threads because Intel omitted SMT/Hyper‑Threading from this generation.
NPU 5 in the 368H supports sparsity, improving effective TOPS for AI workloads with sparse models.
The Arc B390 iGPU in the X7 is closely related to the discrete Battlemage‑generation Arc GPUs and supports ray tracing and XMX AI instructions.
Intel lists the 368H as vPro‑eligible, making it attractive for business and enterprise laptops.
The 25 W base power and 80 W turbo power give OEMs wide flexibility to tune performance vs noise and thermals.
Compared to the similar X7 358H, the 368H adds higher P‑core and E‑core turbo frequencies and vPro support.
Early benchmarks show the 368H trading blows with AMD’s Ryzen 9 8945HS in aggregate performance while using significantly lower power.
People Also Ask
Is the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H good for gaming?
Yes, especially at 1080p. The Arc B390 iGPU is much faster than typical integrated graphics and can handle many modern titles at medium/high settings, though CPU‑heavy or high‑refresh‑rate games still benefit from higher‑TDP gaming CPUs.
What does the X7 mean in Intel Core Ultra X7 368H?
The X7 branding indicates that this SKU uses the fully enabled 12‑Xe3‑core Arc iGPU (B390) and is positioned above Ultra 7/9 models with smaller GPUs, focusing on graphics‑ and AI‑intensive use cases.
How much power does the Core Ultra X7 368H use?
Intel specifies a 25 W processor base power and an 80 W maximum turbo power, giving OEMs flexibility to optimize for thin‑and‑light or higher‑performance cooling designs.
Does the Core Ultra X7 368H support vPro?
Yes. Intel lists the 368H as vPro‑eligible, with support for Intel Active Management Technology, Remote Platform Erase and other enterprise manageability features.
How much RAM does the Core Ultra X7 368H support?
It supports up to 96 GB of LPDDR5X memory on a dual‑channel controller, which is soldered on most laptop designs.
Can you overclock the Core Ultra X7 368H?
No. The multiplier is locked and the SoC is designed for OEM‑controlled turbo and power limits rather than manual overclocking.
What process node is the Core Ultra X7 368H built on?
The CPU compute tile uses Intel’s 18A process, while the GPU tile is manufactured on TSMC N3E; the platform controller tile uses an older TSMC N6 node.
How does the Core Ultra X7 368H compare to the X7 358H?
The 368H has higher P‑core and E‑core turbo frequencies and adds vPro support, while the 358H is a slightly lower‑clocked, non‑vPro variant with the same core count and iGPU configuration.
Is the Core Ultra X7 368H better than Apple M5 Pro?
It depends on the workload. The 368H offers stronger integrated graphics and x86 software compatibility, while the M5 Pro generally leads in single‑thread performance and efficiency, especially in Apple’s ecosystem.
What laptops use the Core Ultra X7 368H?
Dell lists the Core Ultra X7 368H vPro in its Pro Precision 5 Series 14S/16S mobile workstations, and other OEMs are expected to use it in high‑end business and creator laptops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Core Ultra X7 368H have integrated graphics?
Yes. It integrates an Intel Arc B390 GPU with 12 Xe3‑class cores, running at up to 2.5 GHz with support for ray tracing and AV1 encode/decode.
What NPU does the Core Ultra X7 368H have?
It includes Intel NPU 5 (“AI Boost”) delivering 50 TOPS of INT8 performance with sparsity support, aimed at on‑device AI inference and Windows Studio Effects.
How many PCIe lanes does the 368H provide?
It provides 12 PCIe lanes from the CPU, supporting both PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 configurations, typically used for an NVMe SSD and chipset links.
What memory types does the 368H support?
It supports LPDDR5X up to 9600 MT/s on two channels, with a maximum capacity of 96 GB and no ECC.
Is the Core Ultra X7 368H a desktop or mobile processor?
It is a mobile SoC in the Panther Lake‑H family, targeting high‑end laptops and mobile workstations, though Intel notes suitability for select desktop form factors as well.
Does the 368H support Hyper‑Threading?
No. It has 16 cores and 16 threads without Hyper‑Threading/SMT, unlike some higher‑end HX‑class Intel parts.
What is the maximum turbo power of the 368H?
Intel specifies a maximum turbo power of 80 W, which the CPU can reach for short durations when cooling and OEM power limits allow.
Can I upgrade the RAM in a 368H laptop?
Most designs use soldered LPDDR5X, so RAM is not user‑upgradeable; check the specific laptop model before purchase.
Does the 368H support Thunderbolt?
Yes. Intel lists Thunderbolt 4 support, so laptops with the 368H typically offer at least one Thunderbolt 4 port.
Is the 368H suitable for virtualization?
Yes, it supports VT‑x, VT‑d and VT‑rp with extended page tables, making it capable for running VMs and containers, though RAM capacity and ECC limitations may matter for some professional workloads.