Key Takeaways
1. Intel’s Nova Lake-S desktop CPUs are expected to feature up to 52 cores and 288 MB of last-level cache, aiming to compete with AMD’s Zen 6 lineup.
2. The K-series Nova Lake CPU may draw over 700 W under full load, indicating high power consumption, especially with power limits disabled.
3. This high power consumption positions the Nova Lake as a High-End Desktop (HEDT) platform rather than a typical consumer CPU.
4. The anticipated power usage of over 700 W is a significant increase compared to current Intel CPUs, like the Core Ultra 9 285K and i9-14900K.
5. Buyers should prepare for a high price tag for the 52-core Nova Lake-S CPU and invest in a strong cooling solution.
Intel’s upcoming Nova Lake-S desktop CPUs are likely to be released later this year. These new chips are expected to feature up to 52 cores and 288 MB of bLLC, potentially allowing Intel to compete more effectively with AMD’s upcoming Zen 6 CPU lineup. Nevertheless, as previously noted, the combination of 52 cores and 288 MB of last-level cache is expected to come at a very high price.
Expected Power Consumption
According to Kopite7kimi, the K-series Nova Lake desktop CPU, presumed to be the 52-core version, may draw over 700 W when under full load. This power consumption figure is believed to be with the power limits disabled, so a lower yet still considerable PL2 power limit is anticipated.
Market Positioning
This 700+ W figure is incredibly high for a consumer CPU aimed at everyday users and gamers. However, Kopite7kimi suggests that this should be viewed more as a High-End Desktop (HEDT) platform instead of a standard flagship consumer CPU, like the Core Ultra 9 285K (which is available on Amazon).
Comparison with Current CPUs
When comparing the 700+ W power usage of Nova Lake to Intel’s Arrow Lake, it represents a significant jump from the existing Arrow Lake CPUs. For example, the Core Ultra 9 285K reached a maximum of 356 W during a Cinebench R15 multi-core test, while even the extremely power-hungry Core i9-14900K peaked at 548 W in the same test. Therefore, with a consumption of over 700 W, the 52-core Intel Nova Lake-S flagship seems like a bold move for a non-HEDT CPU.
However, when we look at current HEDT platforms, such as the Intel Xeon W-2400/W-3400 series and the Ryzen Threadripper 9000X processors, the anticipated power usage starts to make more sense.
In any case, it’s evident that if you’re planning to grab the 52-core Nova Lake-S CPU upon its release, you should be ready to fork out a significant amount for both the CPU itself and a robust cooling solution.
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