Intel Core Ultra 400 (Nova Lake-S): Up to 52 Cores and AI NPU Revealed

Exciting details have emerged regarding Intel's upcoming desktop processors, the Core Ultra 400 series, codenamed “Nova Lake-S”. This new generation promises a monumental leap in power and capabilities for the tech community. Leaked information suggests configurations with up to 52 cores and a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for artificial intelligence tasks. This marks a significant milestone in CPU performance and energy efficiency.

The new architecture will feature “Coyote Cove” performance cores and “Arctic Wolf” efficiency cores. The platform will also support even faster DDR5 memory, which is crucial for modern workloads. A Neural Processing Unit (NPU) is a specialized chip designed to accelerate artificial intelligence tasks. We can expect up to two Thunderbolt 5 ports, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and support for LE Audio. Backward compatibility with current cooling systems is excellent news for those planning upgrades.

This platform is much more ambitious in terms of CPU performance, connectivity, and AI features.

Intel is embracing a modular design with the Core Ultra 400. We anticipate up to five die variants, including monolithic designs and dual-die configurations. All variants will share a surprisingly homogeneous base. This base includes:

• Four low-power E-Cores (LP E-Core).
• An Intel NPU6.
• Dual-channel DDR5 memory support.
• 24 PCIe 5.0 lanes.
• Two Thunderbolt 5 ports.
• A small Xe3 iGPU with two cores.

This strategy aims to maintain a common platform foundation across the entire range. Furthermore, these variants with extra cache align with previous leaks about “bLLC” as Intel's answer to the AMD X3D effect.

According to exclusive leaks, Intel plans to launch at least 13 Core Ultra 400 processors. Two very high-end models will stand out with a 175W TDP, offering 52 and 44 cores respectively. Both will include 16 performance cores, which is truly impressive. These flagship chips might even debut a new branding, surpassing the current “Core Ultra 9” series.

Below these top-tier models, the lineup will scale clearly. “Core Ultra 9” processors will arrive with 28 and 22 cores, while “Core Ultra 7” options will offer 24 and 16 cores. The “Core Ultra 5” series will present choices of 22, 12, and 8 cores, and “Core Ultra 3” models will feature 6 cores. Power consumption will range between 125W, 65W, and 35W, depending on the specific model. This clearly shows Intel's intent to broaden the “Nova Lake-S” spectrum, even venturing into pseudo-HEDT territory at the high end. Could this be the return of an “Intel Core Ultra X” processor?

The generational leap from Core Ultra 300 to these Core Ultra 400 processors will be truly overwhelming. The current “Core Ultra 9 285K” officially features 24 cores, DDR5-6400, and a 13 TOPS NPU. The new processors will offer more than double the cores in their top-tier configurations. This promises an unprecedented user experience for gaming, content creation, and intensive tasks!