Intel Nova Lake-AX Specs Leak Amid Cancellation Rumors

Key Takeaways

1. Intel’s Nova Lake-AX is a rival to Strix Halo, featuring 8 P-cores, 16 E-cores, and 4 LP E-cores for a total of 28 cores and threads.
2. The chip will support LPDDR5X-9600/10667 RAM and includes an integrated Xe3P (Celestial) GPU with 384 execution units.
3. Nova Lake-AX has the potential to compete with AMD’s top-end Ryzen AI Max+ 395 due to its higher core count and faster RAM.
4. Its launch is uncertain, with expectations set for after 2026 when the Nova Lake platform becomes more established.
5. With potential delays from Nvidia and AMD’s Medusa Halo, Nova Lake-AX may enter the market with minimal competition.

A recent leak has brought attention to Intel’s Strix Halo rival, known as Nova Lake-AX. The well-known leaker @OneRaichu has provided some insights into its specifications. However, they also mention that the chip might not debut for reasons that remain unclear.

Specs Overview

Focusing on Nova Lake-AX, it is rumored to feature 8 P-cores, 16 E-cores, and 4 LP E-cores, summing up to a total of 28 CPU cores and 28 threads. It will come with LPDDR5X-9600/10667 RAM on a 256-bit bus, as well as an Xe3P (Celestial) integrated GPU boasting 384 execution units.

Performance Potential

It is still uncertain if this is the highest specification model. The Nova Lake-AX chip appears to have the necessary capabilities to compete with Strix Halo’s top-end Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip, due to its higher core count, faster RAM, and potentially more powerful GPU. Nevertheless, if it does launch, it is expected to be sometime after 2026, when the Nova Lake platform becomes more widely adopted.

Market Dynamics

With Nvidia’s N1x pushed back to next year, Intel has an opportunity to revive Nova Lake-AX from its development pause. Another leaker, HXL, has shared more disappointing news: AMD’s Strix Halo successor, Medusa Halo, may also be on hold. If this turns out to be true, Nova Lake-AX could enter the market without competition, securing a position in a sector largely controlled by Strix Halo and Apple.

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