Please note that this post is tagged as a rumor .
Intel Nova Lake-S rumor now points to 44-core dual-tile desktop CPU
Intel’s rumored Nova Lake-S desktop lineup may have gained two more cores on one of its high-end parts. A new leak from Jaykihn claims the previously rumored 42-core dual-compute-tile variant has been updated to a 44-core configuration with 16 P-cores, 24 E-cores, and 4 LP-E cores. That is a change from the earlier report from December , which listed the same dual-tile bLLC SKU as 14 P-cores, 24 E-cores, and 4 LP-E cores.
42C -> 44C
— Jaykihn (@jaykihn0) April 3, 2026
Keep in mind, naming for the next series is not confirmed; however, we have heard whispers that the bLLC series may end up as the new HEDT segment, aka Core Ultra X series. Jakihn seems to confirm this (just the fact, not the name).
Rumored Nova Lake bLLC SKUs:
- Core Ultra X9 400X (HEDT)
- 52 cores (16+32+4 LPE) , up to 288MB bLLC
- 44 cores (16+24+4 LPE) , up to 288MB bLLC 🆕
42 cores (14+24+4 LPE) , up to 288MB bLLC
- Core Ultra 7 400K (unlocked)
- 28 cores (8+16+4 LPE) , up to 144MB bLLC
- 24 cores (8+12+4 LPE) , up to 144MB bLLC
- Core Ultra 7 400 (locked)
- 22 cores (6+12+4 LPE) , up to 144MB bLLC🆕
As we reported, Intel is planning four bLLC desktop configurations, led by a 52-core dual-tile model, followed by the 42-core part, plus 28-core and 24-core single-tile variants. Basically this updates the 42-core part to 44 cores. However, this is not the only change to the bLLC family.
According to Jaykihn, Intel is currently evaluating the possibility of releasing a locked variants, basically a non-K SKU
Preliminary.
There may be a locked bLLC SKU after all, to address the 6+12 tile from the former 42C SKU.
— Jaykihn (@jaykihn0) April 3, 2026
Nova Lake-S has been tied to the new LGA-1954 socket and Intel’s 900-series chipset family, including Z990, Z970, B960, Q970, and W980 . Intel has already confirmed Nova Lake for the end of 2026 , although desktop availability could stretch into CES 2027 instead of a broad late-2026 retail launch.
The more important part here is that Intel no longer appears to be limiting bLLC to a single flagship-style SKU. We should now expect both single-tile and dual-tile variants, with lower-tier options also said to be in development. That could make the feature relevant beyond the most expensive parts, assuming bLLC delivers the expected gaming uplift from the larger cache.
Source: Jaykihn
