With Nova Lake, Intel is aiming for a major breakthrough in the processor sector. As we already know, the largest models will feature up to 52 cores and a total of 288 MB of L3 cache with the Core Ultra 400DX. Until now, however, we didn’t know how this new generation would be organized. We have new clues today.
Nova Lake: a Core Ultra 400DX series with plenty of L3 cache!
A monstrous model with 52 cores, 288 MB of L3 and 175W of TDP?
Of course, we’ll have to take a step back from what’s being asserted here, but it seems to be in line with previous rumors, so we can consider that there’s a certain consistency.
In broad terms, we’ll remember that the blues would be proposing a “DX” series, which would integrate the most L3 cache memory. We’re talking about two CPUs with particularly attractive specifications. The larger model would feature 52 cores, with 8 P-Core Coyote Cove, 16 E-Core and 4 LPE-Core Arctic Wolf. With this, the L3 cache would be present in large quantities: 288 MB. The second model would be wiser, with 16 P-Core, 24 E-Core and 4 LPE-Core and a smaller amount of L3 cache: 264 MB. As for the
memory, Intel is said to be planning 5 models equipped with a large L3 bLLC cache.
Core Ultra 400D: more reasonable CPUs!
The rest of the range will be more reasonable, featuring :
- Two Core Ultra 9s with 28 and 22 cores
- Two Core Ultra 7s with 24 and 16 cores
- Three Core Ultra 5s with 22, 12 and 8 cores
- One Core Ultra 3 with 6 cores
For the moment, the TDP values are very theoretical, but we’re talking about thermal envelopes of 125W, 65W and 35W, depending on the model and number of cores.
Socket change mandatory!
With Nova Lake, it’s no longer a secret that you’ll have to change motherboards and opt for an LGA-1954 platform. With it, we’ll find new chipsets designed to accommodate these new CPUs. Overclocking would also be possible on the hypothetical Z990, while the Z970 would enable memory OC only, bridging the gap between the B960 and Z990 in terms of features.
On the cooling side, a high-end solution would be required with the Core Ultra 400DX family. Indeed, 175W TDP is a lot, and without a good AIO, it’s likely to get pretty hot!
