Intel is reportedly preparing an exciting new tier for its gaming CPUs, adding an “X” to the “Ultra” branding. This move is aimed at further differentiating top-end processors for gamers and power users, promising a new lineup of Intel Core Ultra X CPUs.
It’s still uncertain whether this new Intel branding will extend to both laptop and desktop CPUs, or if we’ll see it debut with the upcoming Panther Lake mobile chips or later with Nova Lake. However, it’s quite possible that the X variants will exist alongside the standard non-X Ultra chips, rather than replacing them.
Introducing a distinct new tier could serve as a straightforward way to highlight chips featuring unique attributes not present in other models. Think powerful integrated GPUs or significantly larger caches, similar to what we’ve seen with AMD’s X3D chips, which currently dominate discussions for top gaming CPUs.
This latest speculation comes courtesy of well-known tech leaker HXL (9550pro), who shared details about the new product name. The information outlines Intel Core branding from the traditional Core i3/5/7/9 tiers, through the current Core Ultra 5/7/9 names, and then introduces “Core Ultra X5/7/9” as a new addition. Intriguingly, it suggests that the “X” designation might not be exclusive to a high-end Core Ultra 9 chip, but could also appear in lower-tier Core Ultra 5 processors.
The leak builds on an earlier story from September 2025 by PC hardware site Indie Kings, which reported that Intel’s mobile Nova Lake CPU range would include a Core X9 388H CPU (without the Ultra branding) boasting a clock speed of up to 5.1GHz, alongside a Core Ultra X7 368H chip capable of boosting to 5GHz. That report also mentioned a non-X chip, the Ultra 5 388H.
Additionally, a prior post by former IT Home editor realVictor_M indicated that an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H is in the pipeline. This chip is rumored to feature a configuration heavily emphasizing iGPU performance and E-Cores, with a reduced focus on P-Cores. If this information is accurate, the chip would consist of four P-Cores, eight E-Cores, four LPE-Cores (low-power efficiency), and 12 Xe3 GPU cores, all powered by Intel’s cutting-edge Celestial GPU architecture.
Intel is expected to unveil its new Panther Lake laptop chips in the coming weeks, which might offer an initial glimpse of this new Core Ultra X branding. For those considering an upgrade sooner, exploring options for the best gaming laptop is always a good idea.
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