Rumor: Intel Nova Lake desktop CPUs will have up to 52 cores, more than previously expected

Intel’s next generation of desktop CPUs codenamed ‘Nova Lake’ are said to be scheduled for 2026, but rumors are rife, hinting at some of the specifications. Following previous leaks, it is now being said that one of the configurations will carry a total of 52 cores, which will be more than double that of the previous generation. For now, very little is known about the Nova Lake CPUs, as well as the Arrow Lake Refresh, which may not be following the pattern that was initially expected.

A well-known leaker by the username @Jaykihn shared a response to an older leak on X that hinted configurations for the four expected Nova Lake CPUs. While the original post claimed a total of 48 cores with 16 P cores (Performance cores) and 32 E cores (Efficient cores) for the Nova Lake S CPU, Jaykihn clarified that there are also 4 LP E cores (Low-power Efficiency cores) in this config, taking the total to 52 cores. Similarly, the Nova Lake HX CPU is said to carry 28 cores instead of 24 and the Nova Lake H CPU configuration is expected to come with 16 instead of 12.

Furthermore, the leaker also confirmed that these will be Coyote Cove P cores and Arctic Wolf E/LP E cores. These Nova Lake CPUs are likely going to be Intel’s Core Ultra 400 series chips and filling in the gap would be the Arrow Lake Refresh Core Ultra 300 series processors.

Previously, it was believed that Intel plans on doubling the number of E cores to 32 for an Arrow Lake Refresh SKU, which, in addition to the 8 Lion Cove P cores, would result in a total of 40 cores. This rumor was squashed by another known leaker recently via Chinese social media platform Weibo, stating that Intel will likely only upgrade the NPU component of the chip.

As mentioned earlier, these are rumors and there is no official information on the configurations or number of SKUs for Nova Lake or Arrow Lake Refresh processors.