New leak concerning Intel’s future Nova Lake processors. It seems that the Core Ultra 400K will feature bLLC technology, a very large last-level cache that behaves like AMD’s 3D V-Cache. The aim is to boost the performance of processors equipped with bLLC in order to regain a foothold in the gaming sector, where Intel’s Arrow Lake is not particularly successful.
BLLC on Core Ultra 400K?
Broadly speaking, bLLC or big Last Level Cache is what 3D V-Cache is to AMD. It’s a big L3 cache with a reported capacity of 144 MB. This allows the processor to store more data internally, without having to store it in RAM. The result is higher bandwidth, shorter access times and improved performance. Moreover, video games are very fond of this type of technology, as we have seen with AMD X3D processors.
However, unlike the 3D V-Cache of the Reds, the bLLC would be directly integrated into the processor’s compute tile. It remains to be seen what the consequences will be in terms of heating. Remember that the Ryzen 5000X3D and Ryzen 7000X3D were not overclockable due to thermal constraints linked to the integration of X3D technology.
However, while bLLC sounds like a good thing for Intel processors, it will not be available across the entire Nova Lake range. No, it will be integrated directly into overclockable CPUs, typically the Core Ultra 5 445K, Core Ultra 7 465K and Core Ultra 9 485K… Finally, the names are hypothetical, though credible based on current ranges.
With this, we can also count on an increased number of cores and an improved NPU compared to Arrow Lake.
In short, the Zen 6/Nova Lake duel promises to be an exciting one to follow. All that remains to be seen is which manufacturer will come up with the best architecture!
