Intel's next-gen Nova Lake Desktop CPUs will include four SKU flavors with the highly anticipated "bLLC" big cache, and up to 52 cores.
Intel To Pack Up To 52 Cores & 288 MB Cache In Its Flagship Nova Lake "Core Ultra 9" Desktop CPUs, Core Ultra 7 Gets Up To 28 Cores & 144 MB
It looks like Intel is planning a big comeback in the desktop space after Arrow Lake's dismal gaming showcase and the 14th/13th Gen stability issues, which hampered its progress within the segment. The two scenarios led AMD to gain massively within the DIY space, so for Intel, the next-gen is about going big and introducing new technologies that haven't been seen on the Blue side.
Last month, we got a hint at what the four Unlocked Nova Lake Desktop CPUs would look like, and now, we have more details that once again highlight those four SKUs, albeit with updated specs. Once again, it should be noted that, as per previous rumors, only the unlocked or K-series SKUs within the Nova Lake "Core Ultra 400S" family will feature the bLLC "Big Cache" configuration.
As per @Haze2K1, it looks like Intel is still planning four SKUs, but one of those will feature a very different core configuration. Once again, the specifications for three SKUs from the previous report seem to align perfectly (we didn't mention the LPE cores in the previous report, but those are included in this report).
The four SKUs include two dual compute tile models, which will be part of the "Core Ultra 9" family, and two single compute tile models, which will be part of the "Core Ultra 7" family. Now, Intel may use a very different branding, similar to the "X9" and "X7" series that will be introduced with Panther Lake, but names are still too early to speculate on, and we will talk about them in more detail once we are closer to launch or more credible information comes by.
So the dual compute tile "Intel Nova Lake-S" Desktop CPUs will feature 52 core (16+32+4) and 42 core (14+24+4) configurations. These chips will be configured with up to 288 MB of bLLC. The single compute tile SKUs will come in 28-core (8+16+4) and 24-core (8+12+4) core configurations, and offer up to 144 MB of bLLC.
- 2x 8+16 (48 Cores + 4 LPE Cores) + 288 MB bLLC
- 2x 7+12 (38 Cores + 4 LPE Cores) + 288 MB bLLC
- 8+16 (24 Cores + 4 LPE Cores) + 144 MB bLLC
- 8+12 (20 Cores + 4 LPE Cores) + 144 MB bLLC
Recent rumors hint that Intel might utilize Samsung's 8nm process technology to manufacture 900-series PCH for next-gen LGA 1954 motherboard platforms. This is a rumor, but we know that the new socket will first support Nova Lake-S Desktop CPUs, and also a future generation (including refreshes).
There are also winds about Intel's internal engineering team working to expand socket support beyond just 1-2 generations. Its current LGA 1851 socket will support just Arrow Lake and the upcoming Arrow Lake Refresh lineup. Intel's client desktop team has seen how AMD's socket longevity has helped them gain a higher share in the DIY space, and that is something that they are also working towards now.
Intel's Nova Lake "Core Ultra 400" Desktop CPU lineup is expected in the second half of 2026, and the company itself has confirmed and promised that it will retake the leadership crown from AMD once it launches. Time will tell, but we definitely hope for a more competitive landscape in the DIY desktop CPU segment.
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) | 160-320 MB | 76 MB |
| Max bLLC Cache | 144-288 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 (PL1) | 125-175W | 125W |
| Max Power | ~700W (Dual) ~350W (Single) | ~400W |
| Launch | 2H 2026 | 1H 2026 |
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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