Intel is gearing up to make a significant impact in the desktop CPU market with its upcoming Nova Lake series. After some setbacks with Arrow Lake and other generational challenges, Intel is set to introduce a lineup that promises innovation and power. The new Nova Lake Desktop CPUs are expected to feature Intel’s much-anticipated “bLLC” big cache technology and impressive core configurations, aiming to recapture leadership in the DIY space from competitors like AMD.
Intel’s Next-Gen CPU Plans Revealed
Intel’s forthcoming Nova Lake series is poised to revolutionize its desktop CPU offerings. Reports suggest that four new SKUs will be introduced, featuring the groundbreaking “bLLC” big cache, exclusive to the unlocked K-series models in the Nova Lake “Core Ultra 400S” family. Recent insights from sources indicate that there will be two dual compute tile models under the “Core Ultra 9” category, and two single compute tile models in the “Core Ultra 7” category. The dual compute configurations will boast up to 52 cores, while the single compute versions will offer up to 28 cores.
The dual compute tile CPUs are expected to deliver configurations of 52 cores (16+32+4) and 42 cores (14+24+4), with a maximum cache of 288 MB. Meanwhile, the single compute models will come in 28-core (8+16+4) and 24-core (8+12+4) configurations, offering up to 144 MB of cache.
Future Prospects and Comparison
Speculations suggest that Intel might adopt Samsung’s 8nm process technology for its 900-series PCH, supporting the next-gen LGA 1954 motherboards. The company is also rumored to be working towards extended socket support, similar to AMD’s strategy, to ensure compatibility across multiple CPU generations. Intel’s Nova Lake CPUs are slated for a 2026 release, with a strong assertion from the company about reclaiming the top spot in the CPU market from AMD.
Intel’s Nova Lake “Core Ultra 9” CPUs will feature up to 52 cores and 288 MB of cache, marking a significant leap in desktop processing power.
Nova Lake-S vs Arrow Lake-S
| 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 |