Rumor mill: Since their launch in early 2022, AMD’s X3D CPUs have turn into the most-sought after CPUs for PC avid gamers who need high efficiency, thanks largely to their 3D V-Cache expertise, which allows increased body charges and smoother gameplay. Intel is now reportedly planning to counter AMD’s current dominance in high-end gaming by incorporating related expertise in its upcoming Nova Lake CPUs.
In response to tipster @Haze2K1, no less than two SKUs within the Nova Lake lineup will ship with elevated L3 cache. Intel calls the brand new expertise “bLLC,” which is brief for “massive Final Line Cache.” The leaker added that each SKUs with bLLC will function 8 P-cores and 4 LP-E cores. One will probably be paired with 20 E-cores, whereas the opposite will embody solely 12. Each chips are anticipated to have a 125W TDP.
bLLC is an integral a part of Intel’s newest Clearwater Forest server CPUs, however the firm has thus far denied plans to convey the expertise to its client lineup.
In a November 2024 interview with YouTubers der8auer and Bens {Hardware}, Intel’s Tech Communications Supervisor, Florian Maislinger, acknowledged that Workforce Blue had no plans to introduce a 3D V-Cache-like expertise in its desktop processors.
8p, 16e
8p, 12eEach 4lpe, bLLC, 125w https://t.co/EQo4MiaGpq
– Haze (@Haze2K1) June 17, 2025
Within the Clearwater Forest chips, the native cache is built-in into the bottom tile, which sits beneath the energetic tiles and acts as an interconnect. Including extra cache to the bottom tile would make the Nova Lake processors structurally much like AMD’s 9000-series X3D chips, which additionally function V-Cache hooked up to the underside of the CPU dies.
Intel’s future lineup will reportedly be led by the flagship Core Extremely 9 485K with 52 cores and a 150W TDP, whereas the entry-level chip is anticipated to be the Core Extremely 3 415K, that includes 12 cores and a 125W TDP.
Within the first two generations of X3D, AMD positioned the V-Cache on high of the CPU chiplets, which led to poor thermals and throttled clock speeds. With its third-generation X3D lineup, AMD moved the V-Cache beneath the chiplets, enhancing each thermal efficiency and clock conduct.
Nova Lake-S is anticipated to launch in late 2026 or early 2027 and is rumored to incorporate no less than six desktop SKUs. The lineup will reportedly be led by the flagship Core Extremely 9 485K with 52 cores and a 150W TDP, whereas the entry-level chip is anticipated to be the Core Extremely 3 415K, that includes 12 cores and a 125W TDP. The processors are additionally tipped to make use of the all-new LGA 1954 packaging and a brand new socket.
