Intel's Nova Lake Desktop CPUs will include two 18-core models featuring a single compute tile and large bLLC.
Next-Gen Nova Lake Desktop CPUs Include Two Core Ultra 5 Models With 18-Cores, Up To 125W, and Intel's Big LLC Technology
The Intel Core Ultra 400S series or Nova Lake-S Desktop CPU lineup will come in various shapes and sizes. Each segment will consist of multiple options to choose from, such as Single-Compute Tile, Dual-Compute Tile, bLLC, non-bLLC, Unlocked, and Non-K models. We have talked about the initial lineup before, and as per the latest from Jaykihn, it looks like there will be two 18-core CPU flavors, each likely to be part of the Core Ultra 5 family.
As per the information, the 18-core Nova Lake-S Desktop CPUs will feature 6 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores, and 4 LP-E Cores. The P-Cores will be based on the Coyote Cove architecture, while the E-Cores will be based on the Arctic Wolf architecture. These chips will carry 18 cores and 18 threads, plus we will see both models with bLLC. For single-compute tile models, the maximum bLLC will be 144 MB.
These two chips will come in 125W (Unlocked) and 65W (Non-K) models. We recently mentioned how the single-compute tile models are primed for an early 2027 release, while the dual-compute tile models will ship a few months later.
Intel Nova Lake-S Desktop CPU Die Configurations:
| Die Config | Variant | Core Config | LPE Cores | Cache | CPU PCIe Lanes | GPU Cores |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8C | Single Compute Tile | 4P+0E | 4LPE | Standard | 24 Gen5 | 2 Xe3 |
| 16C | Single Compute Tile | 4P+8E | 4LPE | Standard | 24 Gen5 | 2 Xe3 |
| 28C | Single Compute Tile | 8P+16E | 4LPE | Standard | 24 Gen5 | 2 Xe3 |
| 28C | Single Compute Tile | 8P+16E | 4LPE | bLLC "Big LLC" | 24 Gen5 | 2 Xe3 |
| 52C | Dual Compute Tile | 2x 8P+16E | 4LPE | bLLC "Big LLC" | 24 Gen5 | 2 Xe3 |
Intel & AMD All Set For An Epic Desktop Showdown
So what does this all mean? Well, looking at the specifications and configurations for Nova Lake Desktop CPUs, it looks like Intel is all set for a huge comeback on the desktop platform. This means that AMD will be even more prepared with its next-gen Ryzen offerings.
And that means that we are in for an epic showdown between the two chipmakers when their next-gen CPUs land on retail shelves. There is still quite a bit of road ahead for both Intel and AMD to cover before we get to see the next-gen CPUs in action. We are likely going to see some hints, teasers, concepts, and more official details throughout 2026, but these will be exciting for PC hardware enthusiasts, and hopefully for budget audiences too, who want the current PC crisis to end as soon as possible to give them time to prepare for newer upgrades.
AMD Olympic Ridge vs Intel Nova Lake-S:
| CPUs | Intel Core Ultra 400 | AMD Ryzen 10000? |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Nova Lake-S | Olympic Ridge |
| Architecture | Coyote Cove (P-Core) Arctic Wolf (E/LP Core) | Zen 6 |
| CPU Process | TSMC N2P | TSMC N2P |
| Core Count (Max) | 52 | 24 |
| Thread Count (Max) | 52 | 48 |
| Max P-Cores | 16 | 24 |
| Max E-Cores | 32 | N/A |
| Max LP-E Cores | 4 | N/A |
| Max Cache (L2+L3) | 160-320 MB | 96 MB L3 |
| Max bLLC Cache | 144-288 MB | 64 MB per stack? |
| DDR5 (1DPC 1R) | 8000 MT/s CUDIMM - Yes | 7200 MT/s? CUDIMM - Yes |
| PCIe 5.0 Lanes (Max) | 36 | TBD |
| PCIe 4.0 Lanes (Max) | 16 | TBD |
| Socket Support | LGA 1954 | AM5 |
| Max TDP (PL1) | 125-175W | 125W+ |
| Max Power | ~700W (Dual) ~350W (Single) | TBD |
| Launch | 2027 | 2027 |
About the author: A Software Engineer by training and a PC enthusiast by passion, Hassan Mujtaba serves as Wccftech's Senior Editor for hardware section. With years of experience in the industry, he specializes in deep-dive technical analysis of next-generation CPU and GPU architectures, motherboards, and cooling solutions. His work involves not only breaking news on upcoming technologies but also extensive hands-on reviews and benchmarking.
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