This discovery illuminates two significant, and complex, aspects of the new lineup.
First, the processor's name confirms a new hierarchy. The "Core Ultra 5 338H" designation, notably lacking an "X" prefix, implies that the "X" (seen in previously rumored "X9 388H" and "X7 368H" models) is a special marker. It is now understood that this "X" will be reserved exclusively for CPUs that feature the most powerful, top-tier configurations of the integrated GPU. This segmentation adds another layer to what is already considered a convoluted naming convention.
Second, the benchmark identifies the processor's integrated graphics as the Arc B370. This name is noteworthy for two reasons:
Architectural Branding: The iGPU is built on the Xe3 architecture, which was logically expected to be branded as the "C-Series" to align with its "Celestial" development codename. The use of "B-Series" (implying "Battlemage") suggests a strategic repositioning by Intel. It appears the core Xe3 technology is being marketed as an "Xe2 Plus/Prime"—an enhanced Battlemage—while the "Celestial" name may be reserved for a different "Xe3p" architecture.
Numerical Jump: The "370" designation is also a significant leap from the "Arc A140T" found in the preceding Lunar Lake generation. Intel appears to have skipped an entire "200-series" to numerically align the GPU (B3xx) with the CPU's own 300-series family name.
Regarding specifications, industry speculation suggests the Arc B370 features 10 Xe3 cores. It is presumed a higher-end model, perhaps a 12-core Arc B390, will also be part of the lineup.
However, the initial performance data from this leak is underwhelming. The Arc B370 scored only 4% higher than the Lunar Lake-based Arc 140T. This marginal increase is a poor showing for a supposedly new architecture. The most common explanation for such a low result is the immaturity of the test platform and its drivers. While it is hoped that final performance will be substantially better, it is not a guarantee.
0 Comments