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| A new leak has revealed a wealth of information about Intel's upcoming Nova Lake desktop lineup |
The rumor mill has been working overtime on Intel’s next-generation Core Ultra 400 “Nova Lake” desktop processors. Earlier whispers suggested Intel is finally taking direct aim at AMD’s gaming-dominating X3D chips by packing massive amounts of L3 cache (or “bLLC” in Intel’s own terminology). We also heard that the flagship model could boast a staggering 52 cores and, under full load, gulp down well over 400 watts – enough to make any enthusiast double-check their PSU’s warranty.
But what about the rest of the lineup? Until now, we’ve only seen fragmented leaks. Thanks to a fresh report from VideoCardz, we now have what appears to be the first comprehensive look at the entire Nova Lake desktop SKU stack. And there’s a lot to unpack – including multiple chips with identical core counts but wildly different TDPs, and some genuine head-scratchers for overclockers.
The Full Nova Lake Desktop SKU List (So Far)
According to the leaked data, Intel’s Core Ultra 400 series will comprise twelve distinct desktop SKUs, ranging from a modest 6‑core part all the way up to the 52‑core monster. The table below summarizes the core configurations, TDPs, and which models include the coveted bLLC (big last‑level cache).
| CPU | Core Count | TDP | bLLC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 9 | 52 (16P+32E+4LPE) | 125 W | Yes |
| Core Ultra 7 | 44 (16P+24E+4LPE) | 125 W | Yes |
| Core Ultra 9 | 28 (8P+16E+4LPE) | 125 W | No |
| Core Ultra 9 | 28 (8P+16E+4LPE) | 65 W | No |
| Core Ultra 9 | 22 (6P+12E+4LPE) | 65 W | Yes |
| Core Ultra 7 | 22 (8P+12E+4LPE) | 125 W | No |
| Core Ultra 7 | 22 (8P+12E+4LPE) | 65 W | No |
| Core Ultra 7 | 16 (4P+8E+4LPE) | 35 W | No |
| Core Ultra 5 | 22 (6P+12E+4LPE) | 125 W | No |
| Core Ultra 5 | 22 (6P+12E+4LPE) | 65 W | No |
| Core Ultra 5 | 12 (4P+4E+4LPE) | 65 W | No |
| Core Ultra 5 | 8 (4P+0E+4LPE) | 65 W | No |
| Core Ultra 5 | 12 (4P+4E+4LPE) | 35 W | No |
| Core Ultra 5 | 8 (4P+0E+4LPE) | 35 W | No |
| Core Ultra 3 | 6 (2P+0E+4LPE) | 65 W | No |
| Core Ultra 3 | 6 (2P+0E+4LPE) | 35 W | No |
Three bLLC‑Equipped Chips – But Not All Flagships
As expected, Intel is reserving its “big L3 cache” trick for just three SKUs. The top‑end Core Ultra 9 with 52 cores (16 performance cores, 32 efficiency cores, plus 4 low‑power island cores) leads the pack, followed by a 44‑core Core Ultra 7 (16P+24E+4LPE). The third bLLC chip is actually another Core Ultra 9 – but this one packs only 22 cores (6P+12E+4LPE) and is capped at a mere 65 W TDP. That’s a curious choice: a cache‑heavy, low‑power “Ultra 9” that might appeal to gamers who don’t want to wrestle with 400 W of heat.
All three bLLC parts are expected to deliver the kind of cache‑sensitive performance that currently makes AMD’s X3D chips so beloved in gaming circles. If Intel’s implementation is on point, Nova Lake could finally give Team Blue a credible answer in that segment.
TDP Confusion: The Same Core, Two Power Limits
One of the most intriguing patterns in the leak is how many Core Ultra 7 and Core Ultra 5 SKUs share identical core counts but come in two different TDP flavors – typically 125 W and 65 W. For example, there are two 22‑core (8P+12E+4LPE) Core Ultra 7 processors, one rated at 125 W and another at 65 W. Similarly, the Core Ultra 5 family shows 22‑core chips at both 125 W and 65 W, plus 12‑core and 8‑core variants at 65 W and 35 W.
The obvious interpretation is that the higher‑TDP versions are the “K” and “KF” unlocked parts, while the lower‑TDP ones are standard or “T” series chips. But according to the leaker jaykihn, who provided the power‑consumption breakdown to VideoCardz, there’s still ambiguity – especially around the Core Ultra 5 K/KF. It might be locked to 65 W, or it could go all the way up to 125 W. That’s a huge gap, and it will matter for budget overclockers hoping to squeeze extra performance from a mid‑range chip.
For the original leaked table and a deeper dive into the power figures, be sure to check out the full exclusive report over at VideoCardz: Exclusive: Intel Core Ultra 400 “Nova Lake-S” Preliminary SKU List Leaked – 6 to 52 Cores, DDR5-8000 and Forward Socket Compatibility
Platform Features: Thunderbolt 5, Xe3 Graphics, and DDR5
Beyond the core counts, the leak also sheds light on what the Nova Lake platform will bring to the table. All desktop Core Ultra 400 CPUs will reportedly integrate a Thunderbolt 5.0 controller, with support for up to two TB5 ports. However, like many premium I/O features, this might be restricted to high‑end Z‑series (or “X” series) motherboards – so don’t expect budget B‑boards to offer dual 80Gbps ports out of the box.
On the graphics side, Intel is sticking with its integrated GPU strategy. Nova Lake chips will feature a two‑core Xe3 iGPU – likely sufficient for basic display output and light productivity, but obviously not a gaming powerhouse. More interesting for AI enthusiasts: there will also be a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit), continuing Intel’s push into on‑die AI acceleration.
Memory and I/O also get a welcome bump. The platform supports dual‑channel DDR5 RAM, reportedly up to DDR5‑8000 speeds out of the box (with overclocking likely going higher). And you’ll get 24 PCIe Gen5 lanes – plenty for a high‑end GPU and one or two blazing‑fast NVMe SSDs.
Forward Socket Compatibility – A Rare Win?
One of the most encouraging details buried in the VideoCardz report is mention of forward socket compatibility. While the exact socket name hasn’t been confirmed (LGA 1851? Something new?), the phrase suggests that Nova Lake might drop into the same physical socket as its predecessor – or at least that Intel is planning for a multi‑generation platform. Given the company’s recent history of forcing new sockets every two generations, this would be a very welcome change for DIY builders.
When Can We Expect Nova Lake?
Intel hasn’t officially announced a release date for the Core Ultra 400 series, but if the usual cadence holds, we’re likely looking at a late 2025 or early 2026 launch. That would put Nova Lake head‑to‑head with AMD’s Zen 6 “Medusa Ridge” lineup – and possibly a refreshed X3D generation. With both teams leaning hard on cache technology and hybrid core designs, the next couple of years promise to be a fascinating battle for desktop supremacy.
For now, take all these leaks with the usual grain of salt. Engineering samples change, SKUs get cut, and TDPs often fluctuate before final release. But if this preliminary list holds up, Intel is preparing a surprisingly diverse lineup – from a 35‑W Ultra 5 for tiny home servers to a 52‑core, bLLC‑packed flagship that could finally make the “Ultra 9” badge mean something truly terrifying. Just make sure your cooling solution is ready.
That SKU is U7 tier for the 125W segment.
— Jaykihn (@jaykihn0) April 13, 2026