Friday, June 27th 2025
Some Intel Nova Lake CPUs Rumored to Challenge AMD's 3D V-Cache in Desktop Gaming
Looking to challenge AMD's gaming CPU supremacy, Intel is reportedly developing Nova Lake processors with enhanced cache technology that could rival the popular 3D V-Cache found in X3D chips. According to leaker @Haze2K1, Intel plans to add "bLLC" (big Last Line Cache) to at least two Nova Lake models. This improved L3 cache is similar to AMD's 3D V-Cache, which has made X3D chips the top pick for enthusiast gamers since 2022. The new processors with bLLC will have 8 P-cores and 4 LP-E-Cores. One version will include 20 E-cores, while another will have 12 E-cores. Both are expected to keep a 125 W TDP rating.
Intel's bLLC technology already exists in Clearwater Forest server processors where local cache integrates into the base tile positioned beneath active tiles. This structural approach mirrors AMD's current 9000-series X3D design, where V-Cache attaches to the bottom of CPU dies—a significant improvement over earlier generations that placed cache on top, causing thermal issues and clock speed limitations. Yet, Intel said no to consumer plans for a technology similar to AMD's 3D V-Cache. In November 2024, Intel's Tech Communications Manager Florian Maislinger told YouTubers der8auer and Bens Hardware that they didn't plan such a desktop version. The Nova Lake-S family is set to hit the market in late 2026 or early 2027, with at least six desktop models using new LGA 1954 packaging. The lineup will start from the top-end Core Ultra 9 485K with 52 cores and 150 W TDP and go down to the basic Core Ultra 3 415K offering 12 cores at 125 W TDP.
Sources:
TechSpot, @Haze2K1 on X
Intel's bLLC technology already exists in Clearwater Forest server processors where local cache integrates into the base tile positioned beneath active tiles. This structural approach mirrors AMD's current 9000-series X3D design, where V-Cache attaches to the bottom of CPU dies—a significant improvement over earlier generations that placed cache on top, causing thermal issues and clock speed limitations. Yet, Intel said no to consumer plans for a technology similar to AMD's 3D V-Cache. In November 2024, Intel's Tech Communications Manager Florian Maislinger told YouTubers der8auer and Bens Hardware that they didn't plan such a desktop version. The Nova Lake-S family is set to hit the market in late 2026 or early 2027, with at least six desktop models using new LGA 1954 packaging. The lineup will start from the top-end Core Ultra 9 485K with 52 cores and 150 W TDP and go down to the basic Core Ultra 3 415K offering 12 cores at 125 W TDP.


140 Comments on Some Intel Nova Lake CPUs Rumored to Challenge AMD's 3D V-Cache in Desktop Gaming
For the sake of argument if I apply that % to TPU's scores CB2024 and make some assumptions then for 265k that is about 1630pts (from 2090pts) compared to 9700x's 1208pts.
If I apply TPU's points per watt efficiency formula I get
1630pts/95w = 17.2 points per watt
1208pts/80w = 15.1 points per watt (TPU said 15.7)
Before you celebrate your victory let me state my errata
- My assumption in CB scaling between CB23 and CB2024 may be completely wrong.
- How CB stresses the chips power draw between CB23 and CB2024 may be different.
- Comparing power measurements between TOM's and TPU's reviews may not be compatible.
- TPU ppw I calculated suggests CB2024 pulled 76w-77w not 80w which I got from a different part of the review.
- 3pt spread might be within a margin of error.
- Maybe a messed up a calculation.
Final Thoughts
If you want to run a 256k daily at 22% reduced performance you might as well get a 9700x and enjoy one last socket upgrade when AM5 goes EOL.
Thankfully I don't need a new CPU today. Passing up X3D would be hard, but accepting only 8 cores per L3 cache block would also be hard. My 1800X kept up for a long time because games became more threaded. What happens to the X3D chips when future games spill over into more cores? Arrow Lake has continuous L3 so it looks more future-proof but it doesn't have AVX-512. (I did replace my 1800X with a 5700X3D. That was cool but I don't think I gained enough to consider doing it again; next time I'm waiting longer between upgrades than even the life of AM4.) Nova Lake with bLLC spounds like it'd be an easier choice.
Also the gap is much larger than what you are calculating cause you are still not doing an iso comparison. The question is in order for the 9700x to hit that 1.6k score to match the 265k, how much power would it need? 200 watts? More than that?
Also why in the world would you buy a 9700x in this case? Thats freaking absurd man, even in yoir example the 265k is 50% faster while also being more efficient, but youd go with amd
I guess some people like to live like it's 20yrs ago and game at 1080p I prefer to game at 4k and after owning 2 x3d chips im still trying to figure out what's so special about them at 4k...
And to stray this back on topic if it had v-cache on the pcores it could be an awesome gaming product for games that can use that.
An actual efficient chip is one that can remain stupid fast while keeping the power low, like the 265k does with the numbers i gave you. The 9700x just cannot do that cause its not efficient.
You just confimed my point as well as you have to be super specific to make intel win vs AMD. Flip the question. How did that Intel CPU do when doing something in productivity?I wonder how much Intel will benefit from X3D like tech due to their better memory controller?
5950x less power than 10/11/12th gen in gaming on average
Just buy the Microcenter 265K bundle, guys. CUDIMM support, Z890 boards, and $200 less than the X670E 9800X3D combo. No need to argue :pimp: