Intel Arc G3 and G3 Extreme: the same iGPU as a Core Ultra X9, in the palm of your hand

Intel has finally presented the new processors that will power the next generation of handheld PCs: Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme. These solutions directly compete with AMD's offerings, namely the Ryzen Z2 and Z2 Extreme. It's a challenge that Intel has taken very seriously, and the new SoCs leave no room for doubt: between ray tracing and XeSS, the two proposals seem to offer almost a desktop experience in the palm of your hand.

On the CPU front, the two chips are practically equivalent: both utilize a combination of 2 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores, and 4 LP E-Cores for a total of 14 cores. Additionally, both integrate 12 MB of Intel Smart Cache LLC. The only difference, which is rather marginal, lies in the frequencies: the P-Cores of the G3 reach a boost clock of 4.6 GHz, while those of the G3 Extreme go up to 4.7 GHz.

What distinguishes the two solutions is the Integrated GPU: the Arc G3 is paired with an Arc B370 featuring 10 Xe Cores, while the Arc G3 Extreme is complemented by the high-end Arc B390 with 12 Xe Cores. The latter also achieves a boost frequency of up to 2.3 GHz, while the smaller sibling caps at 2.2 GHz.

After reviewing the specifications of the new chips, what changes compared to the previous series based on Panther Lake architecture? First of all, the most observant will have noticed a reduction in P-Cores, which does not correspond to a limitation of performance, but rather to an optimization of it. This type of chip is geared towards battery-powered devices where energy efficiency remains a critical issue. The previous generation suffered precisely for this reason: while at high TDP the performance matched that of competitors, with a value below 15W the chips showed a drastic drop in performance.

With the G3 and G3 Extreme, Intel has overcome this hurdle, achieving consistent performance even at extremely low TDP. Not surprisingly, both chips are configurable starting from just 8W, with the G3 reaching 30W and the G3 Extreme capable of pushing up to 35W, on par with AMD's solutions. In summary, this means significantly superior performance compared to the previous generation, but this time without sacrificing autonomy. Moreover, Intel has also integrated a respectable graphics suite capable of delivering performance comparable to that of a notebook, despite the clearly more compact sizes and battery.

First, we find support for ray tracing, enabled by the XeSS3 technology that provides all the latest graphics capabilities from Intel. This allows for the use of XeSS-MFG, or Multi Frame Generation, which can generate up to 3 virtual frames for each actual rendered frame. The result is a significantly smoother gaming experience.

In addition, there is XeSS SR (Super Resolution), which is an upscaling function that allows for rendering an image at a lower resolution and then converting it to a higher one with minimal and likely imperceptible detail loss given the size of these devices' displays. Completing the framework is XeLL, which reduces latency between input and on-screen results, commonly referred to as "input lag."

Connectivity has not been overlooked. On the wireless front, we find Wi-Fi 7 (R2) that offers higher throughput for an optimized experience both for gaming and downloads, along with Dual Bluetooth Core 6.0, a technology that enables the simultaneous connection of controllers, headphones, and other low-latency peripherals.

Noteworthy is the presence of two Thunderbolt 4 ports with Thunderbolt Share mode that allow for quickly transferring one’s library from a desktop PC to the console, in addition to offering a high-speed docking mode to use the platform as a true Mini PC.

All of this is complemented by the software. Firstly, Intel has promised the "Day-0 Game Driver," which is the release of optimized drivers for titles coming out from Day 1. The drivers will be accompanied by precompiled shaders that reduce stuttering during sessions and additional wait times upon starting games. Intel also highlights the new Xbox mode, a feature available for all devices powered by Windows 11 that provides access to a dedicated console-style gaming interface optimized for controllers. The company sums it up with "less time configuring settings, more time gaming."

In any case, Intel has seized this window before Computex to present the platform, but we will see it again during the fair alongside the first devices produced by partners. Computex 2026 will be held from June 1 to June 5, so it’s just a few days wait before we see the new generation of handheld consoles.