Rumors Suggest Intel’s Next-Gen Nova Lake CPUs to Include Up to 16 P-Cores and 32 E-Cores, Doubling the Core Count

Intel’s much-talked-about Nova Lake series is finally coming into focus, as fresh leaks reveal what we can expect in terms of core configurations for various CPU models.

Intel’s Nova Lake-S Desktop CPUs: A Leap Beyond Arrow Lake-S with a Potential Core Count Upgrade

Intel’s Arrow Lake didn’t quite hit the high notes that fans were hoping for, so all eyes are now on Nova Lake to deliver a major performance boost. While Intel has been tight-lipped about what’s next, a tip-off from Reddit user @Exist50, highlighted by HXL, offers a sneak peek into the potential specifications for the Nova Lake-S, HX, U, and H lines, and they definitely seem promising.

According to the leaked details, Intel’s new lineup could flaunt a maximum core structure featuring 2*8 P-Cores and an impressive 16 E-Cores. This marks a significant step up from the Arrow Lake-S’s top dog, the Core Ultra 9 285K. For those keen on mobile capabilities, look forward to Nova Lake-H’s entry into that space. Here are the rumored core configurations:

• NVL-SK: 2*8+16
• NVL-HX: 1*8+16
• NVL-S/NVL-H: 4+8
• NVL-U: 4+0

Based on these figures, Nova Lake-S could offer up to 16 P-Cores and 32 E-Cores. It’s likely that Intel will integrate a dual compute tile setup, resulting in this significant boost in core counts to counter AMD’s anticipated Zen 6 lineup, rumored to also feature a substantial core increase of up to 32 cores per CCD.

The Nova Lake-S Desktop CPUs are expected to take the torch from Arrow Lake-S and will probably be included in the "Core Ultra 400" series. The "Core Ultra 300" series, on the other hand, is set to adopt the Panther Lake architecture, although those might not hit mainstream desktop platforms. Components like Coyote Core P-Cores and Arctic Wolf E-Cores are mentioned, but detailed specifics remain under wraps for now. With the launch scheduled for next year, more details are bound to emerge soon.

Intel Desktop CPU Generations Comparison

Here’s a quick rundown showing the evolution of Intel’s Desktop CPU Generations, highlighting changes in architecture and process alongside maximum core and thread counts:

Alder Lake (12th Gen)

• Process: Intel 7
• Architecture: Golden Cove (P-Core), Gracemont (E-Core)
• Graphics: HD 700 Series
• Max Cores/Threads: 16/24
• Launch: 2021

Raptor Lake (13th Gen)

• Process: Intel 7
• Architecture: Raptor Cove (P-Core), Gracemont (E-Core)
• Graphics: HD 700 Series
• Max Cores/Threads: 24/32
• Launch: 2022

Raptor Lake Refresh (14th Gen)

• Process: Intel 7
• Architecture: Raptor Cove (P-Core), Gracemont (E-Core)
• Graphics: HD 700 Series
• Max Cores/Threads: 24/32
• Launch: 2023

Arrow Lake (Core Ultra 200)

• Process: TSMC N3B
• Architecture: Lion Cove (P-Core), Skymont (E-Core)
• Graphics: Xe1 (Alchemist)
• Max Cores/Threads: 24/24
• Launch: 2024

Nova Lake (Core Ultra 400?)

• Process: TBA
• Architecture: Coyote Cove (P-Core), Arctic Wolf (E-Core)
• Launch: 2026

Stay tuned as Intel gears up to make major headlines in the coming months, potentially shaking up the CPU landscape yet again.