- Intel may be planning a big change with Nova Lake CPUs in 2026
- Rumors say they will take advantage of additional cache for faster games
- This is similar to that of AMD’s existing 3D V-cache chips, like the popular 9800x3d
Intels Nova Lake processors-as could be its next CPUs (although an Arrow Lake Refresh could come in front of them)-will take a page out of the AMD 3D V-cache playbook, it seems.
Based on new rumors flowing around X, which is highlighted by Videocardz, Intel is looking to use a large record of cache to make a much better CPU for players, like AMDS X3D chips.
AMDS RYZEN 7 7800X3D remains our best game CPU (pound-for-pound), and Intel apparently hopes to take advantage of a similar vein with Nova Lake Chips using what is called ‘BLC’ or Big Last level cache.
Obviously, taking all this with a lot of spices, but according to Raichu, a well-known leak on X, we see a Nova Lake flagship with 16 Performance Kernes (and 32 Efficiency Kernels). Along with that, there will be a lower tier chip with 8 performance kernels (plus 16 efficiency) that will have BLC on board (the flagship not).
Another post on X, from Haze (a data), also claims that there will be another 8-core model with fewer efficiency kernels (12) that wants the new cache, and also 4 low power kernels (small). In fact, both Nova Lake 8-core CPUs will reportedly have them together with a power consumption of 125W.
As Videocardz points out, the rumored plan for 144 MB L3 cache to be used by Intel is more than AMD’s current top-end payload of 128 MB (on Ryzen 9950x3d).
Whatever the exact configuration of these CPUs can eventually be, the apparent plan is to have this new type of cache that lights up in Nova Lake, which processors are expected to be released later in 2026.
As mentioned in the beginning, it is not clear whether Nova Lake will be Intel’s next gene CPUs, as previously rumored, or whether Team Blue may be planning a stop gap update of the current Arrow Lake Chips before then, to debut later this year, as newer speculation claims.
We could look at Arrow Lake Refresh like the Core 300 series (along with Panther Lake, who will only be for laptops) and Nova Lake would be core 400, in theory (for both desktops and laptops).
Analysis: A return to form?
So it seems that Intel’s plan is a monster flagship processor for Nova Lake, aimed at PC enthusiasts who want a heavy weight chip that can do all-with 16 Performance-Kerner-and then a beef 8-Core Chip, ideal for players. The latter will cost less, but be peppered up for games with this new taste of cache, similar to AMDS X3D.
While AMD offers X3D processors with more than 8 cores, the model — the latest incarnation is if the 9800x3D is the mainstream offering for players in terms of its pricing (12-core and 16-core X3D spins is predictable price.
Okay, then this fresh intel -rumor probably seems? Well, Team Blue needs to do something to get back in the good books of players, that’s for sure. The company’s latest Arrow Lake Chips disappointed with their PC game performance after several patches to smooth the things-and its reputation has been spotted by previous generations suffering from well-documented stability issues (which is still a continuous concern in some respects).
In fact, some may claim that it could be too late for Intel to restore his status with players. After all, trust and trust in the CPU manufacturer have been damaged to a worrying extent, at least from what I can tell (from online mood in the various forums I regularly lurk in). Of course, that doesn’t mean Team Blue shouldn’t try – and maybe it can pull a rabbit out of the hat, playfully, with a new direction for Nova Lake with regard to further cache.
