Intel Nova Lake-S desktop chip with 12 Xe3P cores reportedly has 154W PL2
Intel’s unusual Nova Lake-S processor with 12 Xe3P graphics is getting more detailed specifications. According to Jaykihn, the integrated GPU currently has its own 40W PL2 limit , while the complete processor has a chip-wide PL2 of 154W. The information remains preliminary.
We first covered this processor in April . The reported configuration combines 4 P-cores, 8 E-cores, 4 low-power E-cores and 12 Xe3P graphics cores. This is a much larger integrated GPU than Intel normally uses on socketed desktop processors, at least from Intel. The same leak also stated that two VCCGT VRM phases would be required.
40W reserved for the integrated GPU
Last month, Jaykihn added that the 12 Xe3P configuration requires a specific 65W-level motherboard power-delivery segment to reach full graphics performance. The new 40W figure refers specifically to the iGPU PL2, while 154W is the reported PL2 limit for the complete chip.
The iGPU-specific PL2 is currently 40W.
The chip-wide PL2 is currently 154W. https://t.co/nZymZZRjmD— Jaykihn (@jaykihn0) August 9, 2026
This distinction is important because the earlier 65W figure was not confirmed as Processor Base Power or PL1. Jaykihn described it as a power-delivery segment tied to motherboard requirements. He now says moving outside that specific segment would reduce iGPU performance.
Xe3P gets 25% more L2 cache than Panther Lake
Jaykihn also claims the 12-core Xe3P configuration has 20MB of L2 cache. That is 25% more than the 16MB L2 cache used by Panther Lake’s full 12-core Xe3 integrated GPU. Intel previously confirmed the Panther Lake configuration with 12 Xe3 cores, 96 XMX engines, 12 ray tracing units and 16MB of L2 cache.
Xe3P 12Xe L2 cache 20MB (Nova Lake) ⬆️
Xe3 12Xe L2 cache 16MB (Panther Lake)— Jaykihn (@jaykihn0) August 8, 2026
Intel has not confirmed this Nova Lake-S SKU, its graphics clocks, memory configuration or performance. The company has confirmed Xe3P as a refinement of Xe3 that will be used beyond Panther Lake, but the specifications reported for this desktop configuration continue to come from preliminary information.
The mobile Intel Nova Lake is expected to debut by the end of this year, with a launch planned for 2027 around CES. As we exclusively revealed , the desktop “S” variant is scheduled to appear between the first and third quarters in staggered launches between different variants.
Source: Jaykihn
