Intel’s Upcoming Nova Lake CPUs
With limited new GPU releases and rising memory costs, Intel is pinning hopes on its next‑generation Nova Lake processors.
Leaked details from a tech leaker suggest a family of chips featuring Intel’s “friendly big cache” (BFC) design, aimed at competing with AMD’s 3D V‑Cache technology found in the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
The rumored lineup includes several models, headlined by the Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC, which sports an 8‑core/16‑thread configuration, 32 GPU execution units, a 125 W TDP and integrated bLLC cache.
Other variants range from the Core Ultra 9 4950K (8/16 cores, 23 EU, 125 W, no cache) down to the Core Ultra 5 4650KF (6/12 cores, 0 EU, 125 W, no cache).
A lower‑power Core Ultra 9 4900 BFC is also listed, with 6/12 cores, 32 EU, 65 W TDP and cache, likely targeting professional or small‑form‑factor gaming workloads.
While the high‑end chips may draw up to 700 W in theoretical power‑limit scenarios, typical PL2 sustained power is expected to be around 250 W, requiring an extra 8‑pin connector for the most power‑hungry models.
The standard Core Ultra processors, however, are slated for a 125 W PL1 TDP, similar to current generation parts.
Intel’s approach differs from AMD’s 3D V‑Cache, which is stacked on top of the chip. Instead, Intel’s bLLC is integrated directly into the processor die, a change that could improve latency and simplify board layout.
If the rumors hold, the new CPUs could launch early next year, giving gamers and creators a cache‑centric alternative to the current AMD offerings.
Rumored Nova Lake Specifications
| Header cell: column 0 | P/E/LP-E cores | GPU EU | TDP (PL1) | bLLC cache |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC | 8/16/4 | 32 | 125 | Yeah |
| Ultra 9 4950K core | 8/16 | 23 | 125 | No |
| Core Ultra 9 4900 BFC | 6/12/4 | 32 | 65 | Yeah |
| Core Ultra 7 4870K BFC | 8/12/4 | 32 | 125 | Yeah |
| Ultra 7 4850K core | 8/12 | 32 | 125 | No |
| Ultra 5 4650K core | 6/12 | 32 | 125 | No |
| Ultra 5 4650KF core | 6/12 | 0 | 125 | No |
This is the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which features AMD’s 3D V-Cache.
Overall, the upcoming Nova Lake CPUs promise a compelling mix of high core counts, strong GPU integration, and larger cache sizes, positioning Intel to better challenge AMD’s 3D V‑Cache dominance in the gaming and professional markets.
