Intel Nova Lake-S Full Leak: 52 Cores, 288MB bLLC Cache, and TSMC N2P Process in 2026

Intel Nova Lake-S Full Leak: 52 Cores, 288MB bLLC Cache, and TSMC N2P Process in 2026

Intel’s upcoming Nova Lake-S desktop processors, launching in 2026, promise a substantial architectural leap with up to 52 cores and a massive 288MB Big Last-Level Cache (bLLC). Fabricated on TSMC’s advanced N2P process node, Nova Lake aims to compete directly with AMD’s Zen 6, incorporating a modular five-tile design and a new socket, LGA 1954, which Intel plans to support for four CPU generations.

Key Architectural Features

• Core Count & Layout: Flagship Nova Lake CPUs feature 16 “Coyote Cove” Performance cores (P-cores), 32 “Arctic Wolf” Efficiency cores (E-cores), and 4 low-power E-cores (LP-E), totaling 52 cores and 52 threads. Hyper-Threading is discontinued.
• bLLC Cache: Each compute tile includes 144MB of L3 cache positioned centrally in the ringbus, resulting in a colossal total of 288MB L3 cache across two tiles. This cache structure is Intel’s answer to AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology, aiming to enhance gaming and multi-threaded performance.
• Chiplet Design: The CPU package comprises five tiles:
  • 2 × CPU tiles with compute cores and bLLC
  • 1 × Hub Die with media/display engines, Neural Processing Unit (NPU), memory controller, and 4 LP-E cores
  • 1 × Platform Controller Die (PCD) handling I/O like Thunderbolt, PCIe Gen5, display outputs, security co-processor, and chipset interfaces
  • 1 × Integrated GPU die with up to 32 Celestial Execution Units (EUs); mobile variants may scale the iGPU up to 192, 256, or even 512 EUs
• Socket & Platform: Nova Lake will debut a new socket, LGA 1954, intended to support up to four future generations including Razer Lake, Titan Lake, and Hammer Lake. This promises extended platform longevity and compatibility.

Expected SKU Lineup

• Core Ultra 9 (Flagship): Dual-die design with 16P + 32E + 4 LP-E cores and 288MB L3 cache.
• Core Ultra 7: Variants include a dual-die SKU with partially disabled cores (~12P + 24E) and 224-256MB of cache, or a single-die SKU with 8P + 16E cores and 144MB cache.
• Core Ultra 5: Single-tile design with 8 or 6 P-cores, 16 or 12 E-cores, and between 36MB to 144MB L3 cache.
• Core Ultra 3 (Budget): 4P + 8E + 4 LP-E cores with 18MB L3 cache.
• Entry-Level: 4P + 0E + 4 LP-E cores on Intel’s 18A process with 12MB L3 cache.

Performance Expectations

• CPU Uplift Over Arrow Lake: Non-bLLC Nova Lake expected to provide ~16% single-thread and ~12% multi-thread improvements; bLLC-equipped models claim ~20% single-thread and ~23% multi-thread uplift.
• Flagship 52-core Model: Potential ~20% single-thread and up to 80% multi-thread performance increase versus Arrow Lake, mainly due to the higher core count.
• Gaming Impact: bLLC Nova Lake could outperform Arrow Lake by 30–45%; standard versions by 10–15%. However, most games will primarily leverage one compute tile (up to 8 P-cores), limiting core count usage in gaming relative to total cores.
• APO+ Technology: Intel is developing APO+—a tool to rewrite game executables for optimized instructions and cache use, potentially adding a further 15–25% gaming uplift. This may raise DRM and compatibility concerns.

Laptop and Mobility Variant: Nova Lake-AX

• Expected launch in 2027 as an AMD Strix Halo competitor.
• Features tiled GPU with up to 256 or 512 Celestial EUs.
• CPU configurations of 8P + 16E or 4P + 8E cores with on-package LPDDR5X memory.

Summary Table of Nova Lake-S Desktop SKUs

Conclusion

Intel’s Nova Lake-S processors aim to shift desktop CPU performance with record core counts, enormous cache pools, and advanced manufacturing technology. The new LGA 1954 socket promises future-proofing with support across multiple CPU generations. While the architecture may limit gaming to a subset of cores, innovations like the bLLC cache and APO+ optimizations could significantly boost gaming and multi-threaded performance. Nova Lake looks poised to be a strong competitor against AMD’s Zen 6 and its 3D cache variants, setting Intel on an aggressive path through 2026 and beyond.