Asus ExpertBook Ultra Challenges Gaming Laptops with Intel's New Integrated Graphics

Intel's Panther Lake CPUs are making waves even before their official Q2 2026 launch, with early benchmarks revealing that the integrated Arc B390 GPU in the new Asus ExpertBook Ultra can challenge entry-level gaming laptops. The compact business laptop, powered by the Core Ultra X7 358H processor, delivers performance that rivals dedicated graphics solutions while maintaining a significantly smaller form factor and lower power consumption.

Integrated Graphics That Punches Above Its Weight

The ExpertBook Ultra's integrated Arc B390 GPU operates within a modest 60-70W power envelope for the entire system, yet manages to outperform laptops equipped with the GeForce RTX 3050 in synthetic benchmarks. According to 3DMark testing, the integrated solution achieves a performance rating of 78.3 points compared to the RTX 3050's 60.4 points, representing a substantial 30% advantage in synthetic workloads.

This performance gap widens further when compared to the 4GB variant of the RTX 3050, which scores just 44.4 points in the same tests. The integrated GPU's efficiency is particularly impressive given that it achieves this performance without requiring a dedicated graphics chip, contributing to the laptop's compact design and extended battery life.

Real-World Gaming Performance

While synthetic benchmarks provide a useful comparison point, actual gaming performance tells a more nuanced story. In titles like F1 24, the ExpertBook Ultra demonstrates clear advantages across multiple resolution and quality settings. At 1920x1080 with medium presets, the integrated GPU achieves 135 fps compared to the RTX 3050 4GB's 96.1 fps, representing a 35% performance lead.

The advantage becomes even more pronounced at higher quality settings. With ultra-high presets at 1920x1080, the ExpertBook Ultra maintains 38 fps while the RTX 3050 4GB struggles at just 15.4 fps - a 59% performance difference that highlights the integrated solution's efficiency at handling demanding graphics workloads.

However, the performance story varies by game. Older titles like GTA V and DOTA 2 Reborn may actually run faster on dedicated RTX 3050 hardware, suggesting that game optimization and driver maturity still play crucial roles in determining real-world performance.

Modern Titles Favor Intel's Solution

Newer games particularly benefit from the Panther Lake architecture. Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 both run better on the integrated Arc B390 GPU, especially before applying AI upscaling or frame generation features. This suggests that newer game engines and rendering techniques are better optimized for Intel's latest graphics architecture.

The laptop's performance at higher resolutions is also noteworthy. At 2560x1440 with ultra-high settings, the ExpertBook Ultra maintains 25.2 fps compared to the RTX 3050 4GB's 6.75 fps - a staggering 73% performance advantage that demonstrates the integrated solution's capability for handling demanding visual workloads.

Efficiency and Form Factor Advantages

The most compelling aspect of the ExpertBook Ultra's performance isn't just raw speed, but the efficiency with which it achieves these results. By eliminating the need for a dedicated graphics chip, Intel has created a solution that delivers RTX 3050-level performance while consuming significantly less power and generating less heat.

This efficiency translates directly into practical benefits: a more compact laptop design, longer battery life, and reduced cooling requirements. The ExpertBook Ultra achieves gaming performance comparable to dedicated budget gaming laptops while maintaining the slim profile and portability expected from a premium business ultrabook.

AI Features and Frame Generation Limitations

Despite the impressive raw performance, Intel's XESS (Xe Super Sampling) technology still lags behind competitors in terms of game support. While Nvidia and AMD have established frame generation ecosystems, Intel's solution currently supports fewer titles. For example, Arc Raiders only enables frame generation for Nvidia and AMD GPUs, and attempts to enable XESS in Forza Horizon 5 resulted in performance issues during testing.

This limitation highlights that while Intel's hardware performance is competitive, the software ecosystem and feature support still need maturation to match the established players in the gaming graphics market.

Market Implications

The ExpertBook Ultra represents a significant milestone in integrated graphics development. By delivering performance that challenges entry-level dedicated GPUs while maintaining the efficiency and compactness of integrated solutions, Intel is blurring the lines between business laptops and gaming machines.

For consumers, this development means that high-performance gaming doesn't necessarily require bulky, power-hungry laptops with dedicated graphics. The ExpertBook Ultra demonstrates that modern integrated graphics can handle demanding games while offering the portability and battery life that many users prioritize.

As Panther Lake CPUs begin shipping in Q2 2026, this performance level from integrated graphics could reshape expectations for what business and ultraportable laptops can achieve in gaming scenarios, potentially reducing the need for dedicated graphics in many use cases while maintaining competitive performance levels.