Intel Nova Lake CPU Specs Leak – HUGE “BLLC” Cache to Rival AMD X3D
Intel aims to regain the gaming crown with Nova Lake, using a huge “BLLC” cache to counter AMD’s X3D CPUs
Intel is reportedly taking a two-pronged approach to combating AMD with its next-generation CPUs, codenamed Nova Lake. With its BLLC (Big Last Level Cache) tech, Intel aims to deliver stronger gaming performance and directly compete with AMD’s X3D series CPUs. Furthermore, Intel also has higher core count offerings that aim to compete with AMD in the workstation/productivity space.
Based on a new leak from @OneRaichu, a reliable Intel leaker, Intel is expected to release a Nova Lake CPU with eight P-cores and sixteen E-cores, along with a large “BLLC” cache. Additionally, Intel will launch a model with a doubled core count, featuring sixteen P-cores and thirty-two E-cores. This CPU will not feature a “BLLC” cache. Note that Intel’s “BLLC” CPUs will only be available on specific CPU versions. This is similar to how AMD has X3D and non-X3D Ryzen processors.
Intel’s larger 16 P-Core/32 E-core CPU is reportedly scheduled to arrive one quarter later than Intel’s more mainstream Nova Lake CPUs.
(Post from @OneRaichu)
Based on another report from @Haze2K1, Intel’s will have multiple CPUs with a “BLLC” cache. Both CPUs will feature eight P-cores and four LPE cores. One of these chips will have sixteen E-cores and the other will have twelve E-cores. These CPUs would be planned Intel Ultra 7 and Ultra 5 series gaming CPUs. Both of these CPUs reportedly have TDPs of 125W.
(Post from @Haze2K1)
Big Caches for Strong Gaming Performance
Based on older leaks, Intel’s large BLLC caches are expected to increase the cache size of Intel’s Nova Lake CPUs from 36MB to 144MB. This will give Intel’s Nova Lake gaming chips an L3 cache that is larger than AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D. AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 96MB of L3 cache.
Note that 144MB is the same L3 cache size as what AMD’s reportedly considering for its next-generation 12-core X3D gaming chips. With Zen 6, AMD’s reportedly increasing the core counts of its CCDs by 50%. This change also comes with a 50% increase in L3 cache size. This will increase AMD’s non-X3D CPU CCD L3 cache size from 32MB to 48MB and AMD’s X3D CCD cache size from 96MB to 144MB. AMD has also reportedly considered a two-high X3D cache stack, which could give AMD’s CPUs 240MB of L3 cache on a single CPU CCD.
(Post from Chikipi)
Nova Lake should prove to be an exciting CPU launch for Intel. With its “BLLC” tech, Intel may take away AMD’s “X3D Advantage”, potentially securing Intel gaming leadership once again. That said, it remains to be seen how AMD’s Zen 6 CPUs and Intel’s Nova Lake CPUs will compare. Big improvements are expected from both companies. That will make 2026 an exciting year for the CPU market.
You can join the discussion on Intel’s Nova Lake CPU specifications on the OC3D Forums.
