Intel "Nova Lake" Test CPU Appears, Targeting 2026 Launch

[AleksandarK]

Shipping manifests at NBD.ltd have revealed the presence of Intel's "Nova Lake" test chips, providing insight into the development timeline of the company's 2026 processor platform. The discovery comes as Intel prepares for the launch of its "Panther Lake" CPUs on the 18A process node in late 2025. Nova Lake is positioned to replace both Panther Lake for mobile devices and "Arrow Lake" for desktop systems. The manufacturing process remains unconfirmed, with Intel potentially using either its in-house 14A node or TSMC's 2 nm technology. Following recent practices, Intel may split production between its own facilities and TSMC for different components. Rumored specifications show that Nova Lake will use Coyote Cove performance cores and Arctic Wolf efficiency cores.

Unlike Lunar Lake, it will not incorporate on-package memory, maintaining a more conventional design approach. The test chip's appearance suggests Intel is adhering to its development schedule. This timing aligns with the company's plans for Panther Lake's mass production in the second half of 2025, a structured transition between generations. Documents point to "Razor Lake" as Nova Lake's eventual successor, though detailed specifications are not yet available. Panther Lake, the immediate predecessor to Nova Lake, will focus primarily on mobile computing, with desktop variants limited to Mini PC implementations. This approach mirrors the Meteor Lake generation, which saw limited desktop release through the "PS" series for Edge platforms. The Nova Lake platform is expected to support DDR5 memory and may introduce PCIe Gen 6.0 compatibility, with final specifications unconfirmed.



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[matar]

Add more cache bring back HT and at least 12 P-cores with HT and 20 E-cores for a total of 32 cores = 44 threads

 

[N/A]

Just bring back the memory controller in the CPU tile again. But very unlikely because intel is overrun by monkeys attempting to write Shakespeare. Sometimes Hit and mostly miss.

The way it works is 1 Core has 4 cores rentable units attached, so if that ratio is maintained we get 8C32c which is fine but N2 is only 15% denser and the CPU tile is bound to get bigger and hotter.

 

[bonehead123]

And of course, these next 2 chips will come with the obligatory but continually pitiful 2-5% performance gains, and probably set new records for launch day prices too

y/A/w/N....

 

[Vayra86]

Add more cache bring back HT and at least 12 P-cores with HT and 20 E-cores for a total of 32 cores = 44 threads

That would be the new hotness indeed, and not in a good way.

Intel is still backed into a corner with their architecture and the cores themselves. They can paste random tiles together now, but its not going places.

Its really simple. Either bring a solid, fully scalable, chiplet based product, or die a slow death as AMD keeps overtaking them with something simpler, faster, and more efficient. I can't understand Intel's arrogance. Its like they don't want to admit they need their own Zen; they've literally tried everything else, between big little, too much juice, IHS optimization, and even partitioning different bits of the CPU in separate chiplets... The only thing they haven't done is a true chiplet CPU. Even the latest isn't that, even though the key is so blatantly obvious: Make smaller chips, glue them together, add as many of those as you need to scale.

 

[Daven]

I'm going to start asking some fundamental questions given Intel's problems as of late.

"How does this product change the downward trajectory of the company over past product launches?"
"How does this product beat the competition by large performance margins?"
"Will the company grow market share by launching this product?"
"How is this product significantly different in a good way than current and past products?"

Intel cannot just release YAP (Yet Another Processor).

 

[Lycanwolfen]

Intel has lost the Desktop wars. They heads are in the sands, No one wants E cores we want performance and low wattage which AMD is wining and wining and wining. Zen 6 coming soon too. My next build will be AMD Sorry intel you lost a customer.

 

[dyonoctis]

That would be the new hotness indeed, and not in a good way.

Intel is still backed into a corner with their architecture and the cores themselves. They can paste random tiles together now, but its not going places.

Its really simple. Either bring a solid, fully scalable, chiplet based product, or die a slow death as AMD keeps overtaking them with something simpler, faster, and more efficient. I can't understand Intel's arrogance. Its like they don't want to admit they need their own Zen; they've literally tried everything else, between big little, too much juice, IHS optimization, and even partitioning different bits of the CPU in separate chiplets... The only thing they haven't done is a true chiplet CPU. Even the latest isn't that, even though the key is so blatantly obvious: Make smaller chips, glue them together, add as many of those as you need to scale.

If we are going to do chiplets, we will do it the Intel way.

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
[...]
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain.
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,

I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way

My way of Frank Sinatra is a perfect match for Intel right now.