Intel Core Ultra X7 and X5 Processors Benchmarked as AMD Confirms Zen 6 'Medusa' Architecture

Intel's Panther Lake Processors Hinted at in Cinebench Benchmarks

The competitive landscape of processors is on the cusp of a significant shift, with Intel poised to unveil its next-generation mobile CPU lineup, codenamed Panther Lake. While these chips are still under wraps, early indicators of their performance have surfaced through Cinebench R23 benchmarks, offering a tantalizing glimpse into what users can expect. Recent leaks detailing the configuration of these upcoming processors range from the entry-level Core Ultra 3 320U, featuring a modest 2 Performance-cores (P-Core) and 4 Efficient-cores (E-Core), to the formidable Core Ultra X9 388H, boasting a substantial 4 P-Core, 8 E-Core, and 4 Efficient-performance-cores (LPE-Core). The latest findings from Laptopreview Club now add performance data for the mid-tier Core Ultra X7 358H and the Core Ultra 5 338H.

According to the leaked data, the Core Ultra X7 358H achieved a score of approximately 20,000 in Cinebench R23. Close behind, the Core Ultra 5 338H registered a score of around 16,000, representing a deficit of roughly 20%. While exact figures weren't provided, these numbers paint a compelling picture of the raw computational power these new Intel processors are set to deliver. Earlier whispers had suggested that Panther Lake's development placed a considerable emphasis on integrated graphics, specifically a new 12-core Xe3 GPU that reportedly rivals the performance of a GeForce RTX 3050. Intriguingly, the source also claims that the Core Ultra X7 358H, at an identical 60-65W power envelope, falls about 10% short of the Core Ultra 255H in performance. For context, the Core Ultra 255H itself has been observed in Cinebench R23 with scores ranging from 17,000 to 22,000. This suggests a potential strategic trade-off by Intel, where CPU performance might have been slightly scaled back to bolster the capabilities of the integrated graphics. It's crucial to remember, however, that these are preliminary results, potentially from early engineering samples or tested under constrained conditions, making it premature to draw definitive conclusions about the final performance of the Panther Lake processors.

AMD Confirms Zen 6 Architecture Codename: Medusa and Venice Emerge

In parallel, AMD has officially stepped into the spotlight, confirming the codenames for its future Zen 6 architecture processors. At the OCP Global Summit 2025, AMD engineers Raj Kapur and Srini Narayana shed light on the upcoming chips. The confirmation came during a presentation focused on openSIL, an open-source silicon initialization platform designed to supersede the proprietary AGESA firmware. The roadmap revealed that the 6th generation EPYC server processors, codenamed Venice, will be the pioneers to adopt the openSIL firmware. This server lineup is anticipated to launch in 2026, with its source code slated for release a quarter post-launch. Following this, the highly anticipated desktop and mobile Ryzen processors, built on the Zen 6 architecture and codenamed Medusa, are slated for release in the first half of 2027, also featuring openSIL support. This marks the first official acknowledgment from AMD regarding the Medusa codename, which had previously only surfaced in speculative leaks and was associated with Zen 6 desktop and mobile offerings. The Medusa family is expected to encompass Medusa Ridge for desktops and Medusa Point for laptops. Initial reports hint at an increase in core counts and cache sizes compared to current Ryzen generations, along with notable memory subsystem enhancements. Although not officially confirmed, it's widely speculated that AMD will retain the AM5 socket for at least one more generation, providing a degree of continuity for existing users.