Intel is rumored to be gearing up for a significant release with its Nova Lake CPUs. The buzz suggests that these processors will feature enhanced L3 cache, but only the unlocked versions will benefit from this. Intel’s strategy seems to focus on delivering powerful contenders in the CPU market, specifically designed to rival AMD’s X3D chips.
Exclusive Cache for Unlocked Nova Lake CPUs
Intel’s Nova Lake series is anticipated to debut as a formidable competitor to AMD’s X3D line. The latest reports indicate that only unlocked Nova Lake CPUs will come equipped with the superior Big Last Level Cache (bLLC). This move aims to enhance performance, particularly in the mid-range category, with bLLC integrated into models boasting 8+16 core configurations. Interestingly, while the Core Ultra 5 series will have bLLC, the Core Ultra 7 and 9 could boast even larger cache sizes. This exclusive cache application could significantly impact CPU performance, giving Intel an edge in the ongoing competition with AMD.
Nova Lake Lineup Configuration
The upcoming Nova Lake lineup promises various configurations across its Core Ultra series. The Core Ultra 9 is expected to feature 16 P-Cores and 32 E-Cores, while the Ultra 7 will have 14 P-Cores and 24 E-Cores. The Ultra 5 series will provide options that include 8 P-Cores with varying E-Core counts. These configurations underline Intel’s commitment to delivering a robust product lineup.
- Core Ultra 9 – 16 P-Cores + 32 E-Cores + 4 LP-E Cores (150W)
- Core Ultra 7 – 14 P-Cores + 24 E-Cores + 4 LP-E Cores (150W)
- Core Ultra 5 – 8 P-Cores + 16 E-Cores + 4 LP-E Cores (125W) + bLLC Variant
- Core Ultra 5 – 8 P-Cores + 12 E-Cores + 4 LP-E Cores (125W) + bLLC Variant
- Core Ultra 5 – 6 P-Cores + 8 E-Cores + 4 LP-E Cores (125W)
- Core Ultra 3 – 4 P-Cores + 8 E-Cores + 4 LP-E Cores (65W)
- Core Ultra 3 – 4 P-Cores + 4 E-Cores + 4 LP-E Cores (65W)
Nova Lake-S vs Arrow Lake-S
The new Nova Lake-S series is set to introduce impressive advancements compared to the existing Arrow Lake-S. With a maximum of 52 cores and up to 180 MB of bLLC cache, Nova Lake-S clearly aims to dominate the performance charts. It supports faster DDR5 speeds and more PCIe lanes, setting it apart from its Arrow Lake counterpart.
| Family | Nova Lake-S | Arrow Lake-S |
|---|---|---|
| Core Count (Max) | 52 | 24 |
| Thread Count (Max) | 52 | 24 |
| Max P-Cores | 16 | 8 |
| Max E-Cores | 32 | 16 |
| Max LP-E Cores | 4 | 0 |
| Max Cache (L2+L3) | TBD | 76 MB |
| Max bLLC Cache | 144-180 MB | N/A |
| DDR5 (1DPC 1R) | 8000 MT/s | 7200-6400 MT/s |
| PCIe 5.0 Lanes (Max) | 36 | 24 |
| PCIe 4.0 Lanes (Max) | 16 | 4 |
| Socket Support | LGA 1954 | LGA 1851 |
| Max TDP | 150W | 125W |
| Launch | 2026 | 2H 2025 |