A Potential Revolution in Desktop Processing Power
The next major leap in desktop computing might be closer than we think. According to a new wave of rumors from credible hardware leakers, Intel’s upcoming “Nova Lake-S” or Core Ultra 400K processors are shaping up to be a monumental upgrade. The most eye-catching claims suggest the flagship models could feature up to 52 total cores and introduce a new, large cache technology nicknamed “bLLC” (Big Last Level Cache) to dramatically speed up data access.
These specifications, while still unconfirmed by Intel, paint a picture of a processor designed to dominate in heavily threaded workloads like 3D rendering, scientific simulation, and advanced AI processing, while also potentially revolutionizing gaming performance through massive cache pools.
The Rumored Core Ultra 400K Specs: Cores, Cores, and More Cache
The leaks, primarily from source @Haze2K1, outline a multi-tiered lineup for the unlocked “K-series” desktop chips, all featuring a three-tier core design combining Performance-cores (P-cores), Efficiency-cores (E-cores), and low-power cores (LPE-cores).
- Core Ultra 9 (Dual Tile): The flagship could feature 52 cores (16P + 32E + 4LPE) paired with a staggering 288MB of bLLC.
- Core Ultra 7 (Single Tile): A more mainstream high-performance part is rumored with 28 cores (8P + 16E + 4LPE) and 144MB of bLLC.
This “bLLC” is described as an additional layer of last-level cache, similar in concept to the revolutionary 3D V-Cache used by AMD’s X3D processors. If realized, it would allow the CPU to store vastly more data close to the compute cores, reducing delays and boosting performance in games and applications that can leverage it.
Also, Read
- Leak Pits AMD AI 9 465 and Intel’s Core Ultra 7 365 Next Laptop CPUs Against Each Other
- DDR5 Memory Prices Triple, Making Older PC Platforms a Smarter Upgrade
- Intel’s Next-Gen Core Ultra X9 388H Laptop CPU Leaks, Showing Significant Performance Leap
The Platform and the Bigger Picture
Nova Lake-S is expected to debut on a new LGA 1954 socket with a supporting 900-series chipset, meaning a motherboard upgrade will be mandatory. It is also slated to include next-generation Xe3-LPG graphics and a powerful NPU6 for AI tasks, as per previous leaks.
Intel has officially pointed to a late-2026 window for Nova Lake on its roadmap. If these cache and core count rumors prove true, it would represent Intel’s most direct and aggressive response yet to AMD’s cache-centric gaming dominance, setting the stage for an incredibly competitive high-end desktop market at the end of next year.
Source: Haze