Intel has reportedly decided not to launch a Nova Lake-S SKU featuring 12 Xe3P graphics cores. This information comes from tipster Jaykihn, who previously highlighted a robust APU design incorporating Nova Lake architecture, which was intended to provide a budget-friendly option for gaming desktops without needing a discrete GPU.
The original design was said to include 4 P-cores, 8 E-cores, and 4 LPE-cores, in addition to the 12 Xe3P cores. However, the leaker now claims that this project has been canceled, with future plans to revisit it in the upcoming Razor Lake generation.
Originally, the Nova Lake SKU with 12 Xe3P cores was expected to demand 65W of dedicated power for its integrated GPU (iGPU), requiring two VCCGT phases on the motherboard for adequate power delivery. For context, Intel’s Arc B390 GPU, which is based on the 12 Xe3-core model, is designed to operate within a thermal envelope of up to 80W.
Despite the cancellation of the Nova Lake 12 Xe3P SKU, the Xe3P architecture is slated for use in Intel’s Crescent Island AI accelerator, though it remains unannounced for any other applications at this time.
In terms of performance metrics:
– An 80W iGPU is quite significant for an integrated solution.
– The overall Nova Lake stack is rumored to reach up to a 175W thermal design power (TDP) for its flagship 52-core SKU, which suggests the 12 Xe3P iGPU may only be feasible in lower configurations.
Recent leaks also suggest that Intel is working on a mobile APU named Nova Lake AX to compete with AMD’s offerings, which will feature an enhanced iGPU.
Intel’s Nova Lake lineup is expected to include models with up to 28 cores, alongside dual-tile configurations that potentially reach 52 cores, possibly targeting high-end desktop markets.
Additionally, a leaked roadmap indicates that Intel plans to announce its main Nova Lake stack, reaching up to 28 cores, by Q4 of this year, with chip availability projected for Q1 2027.
As part of this launch, Intel will introduce a new LGA1954 socket along with Z990 chipset support, indicating readiness for the Nova Lake release and potential competitive positioning against rival AMD products.
