The new Core Ultra series 3 processors promise major performance gains and will be manufactured at Intel’s new Arizona fab, alongside the upcoming Xeon 6+ server chips.
CHANDLER, Ariz. – Intel today pulled back the curtain on its next-generation client processor architecture, Panther Lake. Officially branded as the Intel Core Ultra series 3, the new chips are the company’s first products built on the Intel 18A process, its most advanced semiconductor node developed and manufactured in the United States.
The announcement, made on October 9, 2025, also included a preview of Xeon 6+ (Clearwater Forest), the first server processor to use the 18A node. Both product lines are being manufactured at Intel’s new Fab 52 in Chandler, Arizona, a key part of the company’s strategy to bolster the U.S. semiconductor supply chain.
“We are entering an exciting new era of computing, made possible by great leaps forward in semiconductor technology,” said Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan. “The United States has always been home to Intel’s most advanced R&D, product design and manufacturing – and we are proud to build on this legacy.”
Panther Lake: The Heart of the Next-Gen AI PC
Designed for a wide range of AI PCs, gaming devices, and edge applications, Panther Lake introduces a scalable, multi-chiplet architecture. Intel claims the new platform combines the power efficiency of its Lunar Lake architecture with the performance of its Arrow Lake-class chips.
Key performance highlights for Panther Lake include:
- CPU Performance: Over 50% faster CPU performance compared to the previous generation, with up to 16 new Performance-cores (P-cores) and Efficient-cores (E-cores).
- Graphics Performance: A new Intel Arc GPU with up to 12 Xe cores delivering over 50% faster graphics performance.
- AI Acceleration: Up to 180 Platform TOPS (trillions of operations per second) for AI workloads.
Intel stated that high-volume production of Panther Lake will begin this year, with the first products shipping before the end of 2025 and broad market availability starting in January 2026.
Clearwater Forest to Power the Data Center
On the server side, Intel previewed Xeon 6+ (Clearwater Forest), its next-generation E-core processor. Also built on the Intel 18A process, it is designed for hyperscale data centers and cloud providers. The chip will feature up to 288 E-cores and a 17% Instructions Per Cycle (IPC) uplift over the prior generation. Intel plans to launch Xeon 6+ in the first half of 2026.
The Foundation: Intel 18A and Domestic Manufacturing
The foundation for both new processor families is the Intel 18A process node, a 2-nanometer class technology. It incorporates two key innovations: RibbonFET, a new transistor architecture, and PowerVia, a backside power delivery system. These advancements, combined with Foveros 3D chip stacking, are central to the performance and efficiency gains.
Intel emphasized that the entire process, from R&D in Oregon to high-volume manufacturing in Arizona, is based in the United States, marking a significant milestone in the company’s effort to build a leading-edge U.S. foundry for the AI era.