Intel targets portable gaming sector with Arc G-Series silicon
The Arc G3 and G3 Extreme models debut at Computex, optimised for Windows 11 and supporting Wi-Fi 7 R2, as Acer and MSI prepare to launch new handheld devices.
Intel has formally entered the custom silicon market for portable gaming devices, unveiling the Arc G-Series chips at Computex. The announcement signals a strategic push into the handheld PC segment with the Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme models, designed to power a new generation of portable gaming hardware. This move comes despite recent market volatility, including a price increase for the Steam Deck that has impacted consumer sentiment in the category.
Built on Intel’s 18A process and based on the existing Core Ultra 3 lineup, the new processors integrate up to Arc B390 GPUs. These graphics units support real-time ray tracing and XeSS 3 AI upscaling. The architecture features a hybrid core design comprising two performance cores, eight efficiency cores, and four low-power efficiency cores, aiming to balance performance with power consumption in compact form factors.
Connectivity options are robust, with the chips supporting Wi-Fi 7 R2, Thunderbolt 4, and dual Bluetooth 6. Intel has optimised the silicon for Windows 11’s full-screen Xbox mode, a feature intended to streamline the user experience by reducing reliance on the standard Windows interface, which has historically been cumbersome on handheld devices.
To improve performance, Intel will utilise Precompiled Shaders technology for select titles. This feature accelerates game loading by delivering optimised shaders from the cloud rather than rendering them locally on the device. Supported games currently include Black Myth: Wukong, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and 7, and The Outer Worlds 2.
The Arc G-Series chips are set to debut in devices from Acer, MSI, and OneXPlayer in the coming months. Confirmed hardware includes the Acer Predator Atlas 8, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, and a new OneXPlayer model. This launch positions Intel to compete directly with rivals such as Qualcomm, which is currently targeting the affordable Windows laptop market with its Snapdragon C platform.
