Intel is set to increase CPU core counts significantly with its upcoming "Nova Lake" client processor microarchitecture. The desktop variant, known as "Nova Lake-S," will feature a maximum CPU core configuration of 16P+32E+4LPE, totaling an impressive 52 cores per socket. This includes 16 "Coyote Cove" P-cores, 32 "Arctic Wolf" E-cores spread across eight E-core clusters, and 4 additional low-power island E-cores based on the same "Arctic Wolf" core design. The top Core Ultra 9 is expected to have a massive L3 cache of 144 MB, which will benefit gaming workloads.
Intel will reserve the maxed out configuration of 16P+32E+4LPE for its top Core Ultra 9 SKUs, with a processor base power value of 150 W for unlocked K or KF SKUs. The Core Ultra 7 SKUs are expected to feature a 14P+24E+4LPE configuration, while the Core Ultra 5 series will offer an 8P+16E+4LPE core configuration for the top K/KF series chips. The Core Ultra 3 processors will have configurations ranging from 4P+8E+4LPE to 4P+4E+4LPE, depending on the SKU.
As for platform I/O, the "Nova Lake-S" platform is expected to provide 32 PCI-Express 5.0 lanes and 16 PCI-Express 4.0 lanes. The iGPU of "Nova Lake-S" will be based on the Xe3 "Celestial" graphics architecture, offering generational performance gains. All processor models will include an NPU that meets Microsoft Copilot+ local acceleration requirements.
Intel is anticipated to launch the "Nova Lake-S" processors in 2026.
