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

140 Comments on Some Intel Nova Lake CPUs Rumored to Challenge AMD's 3D V-Cache in Desktop Gaming

#126
A Computer Guy
JustBenchingSure, here you go. 28k at 95w, the 9700x barely scores 22

www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cooling/intel-core-ultra-7-265k-cooling-testing-how-much-does-it-take-to-keep-arrow-lake-cool-in-msis-mpg-velox-100r-pc-case/2
What you posted shows about a 22% reduction in performance for the 265k at 95w per the article that was about cooling using CB23 as a metric and not discussing 9700x at all.

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.
Posted on Reply
#127
Squared
blinnbanirBy the time Nova Lake launches AMD will have something to respond.
Will AMD have a response at the same time? Some rumors say N2X for Zen 6, and N2P for Nova Lake, which should mean Nova Lake's node is available first. But surely they'll compete with one another eventually.
Tyler-98-W68Intel had to respond to the 1700x, when their existing 4 core cpus were better in almost eveything due to the superior IPC?
I bought an 1800X because it had similar efficiency, worse single-core performance (including games), but far better multi-core performance than Intel. Today the tables have turned. Today I'd consider something like the 265K, as it's very cheap ($40 cheaper than a 9700X), matches AMD in efficiency and single-core performance, roughly matches AMD in gaming performance (within 4% of 9700X, but loses by a huge margin against the much more expensive 9800X3D), and crushes AMD in multithreaded performance (competes with the 9900X for less than the 9700X). The only thing that would give me pause is that last time I accepted like 15% less gaming and low-thread performance, but Arrow Lake loses by around 30% in gaming.

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.
Posted on Reply
#128
JustBenching
A Computer GuyWhat you posted shows about a 22% reduction in performance for the 265k at 95w per the article that was about cooling using CB23 as a metric and not discussing 9700x at all.

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.
Thats goal post moving. The question was whether or not it was more efficient. Clearly it is.

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
Posted on Reply
#129
Tyler-98-W68
Intel fans want to bash on x3d, I remember when intel starting loading extra cache on cpus.

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...
Posted on Reply
#130
A Computer Guy
JustBenchingThats goal post moving. The question was whether or not it was more efficient. Clearly it is.
I didn't move any goal posts. You provided me some data and I estimated that reducing the performance of the 265k by 22% you match the better efficiency of the 9700x per TPU's points per watt efficiency formula. Take it for what it is along with a grain of salt. If it's not they way you want to prove your point then you should put up the effort or retire from the conversation.
JustBenchingAlso 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?
Your being absurd.
JustBenchingAlso 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
Outside of specific constraints/goals (in my opinion) generally it doesn't make sense to give up 22% of 265K's performance to match 9700x's efficiency at the same price point. I see on Amazon they are going for about $300. Wither or not 265K or 9700x is a good fit for you is something you have to decide on your own based on your workload. At $300 it's a very competitive offer.

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.
Posted on Reply
#131
JustBenching
A Computer GuyOutside of specific constraints/goals (in my opinion) generally it doesn't make sense to give up 22% of 265K's performance to match 9700x's efficiency at the same price point.
I agree, it doesnt make sense to reduce the 265ks performance by 22% (even though it will still be 50% faster than the 9700x) and that's because efficiency isnt that important when you are sacrificing performance to get there. Which bring us back to my original point, amds chips arent efficient, they are just slow. They are doing exactly what you described, they are murdering performance to keep the power draw low.

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.
Posted on Reply
#132
A Computer Guy
JustBenchingI agree, it doesnt make sense to reduce the 265ks performance by 22% (even though it will still be 50% faster than the 9700x) and that's because efficiency isnt that important when you are sacrificing performance to get there. Which bring us back to my original point, amds chips arent efficient, they are just slow.
For the sake of argument the only way to convince me of that is to see real tested comparison with only the pcores so your comparing performance and power using 8 cores vs. 8 cores not 20 cores with 8 cores. Your point stands on nothing proven yet other than a modern Intel 20 core cpu continues to beat a modern AMD 8 core cpu in CB at about the same power efficiency. Anybody could have guessed that to be the case because 20 > 8.
JustBenchingAn 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.
Those numbers addressed full multi-core workload only between a 20 vs. 8 core CPU. Your reasoning is still unproven.
Posted on Reply
#133
Panther_Seraphin
JustBenchingDelusional take. Until 2022 with thr first x3d chips amd was behind not just in gaming performance but also in gaming power draw. Amd fans....
The 10 and 11900k doesnt exist in your Universe huh.......

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?
A Computer GuyAnd 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.
I wonder how much Intel will benefit from X3D like tech due to their better memory controller?
Posted on Reply
#134
JustBenching
A Computer GuyFor the sake of argument the only way to convince me of that is to see real tested comparison with only the pcores so your comparing performance and power using 8 cores vs. 8 cores not 20 cores with 8 cores. Your point stands on nothing proven yet other than a modern Intel 20 core cpu continues to beat a modern AMD 8 core cpu in CB at about the same power efficiency. Anybody could have guessed that to be the case because 20 > 8.

Those numbers addressed full multi-core workload only between a 20 vs. 8 core CPU. Your reasoning is still unproven.
The comparisons are done on pricepoints, not on core counts. Core counts are meaningless. Your basically saying that amd is slower and less efficient cause it has less cores. Oh well, nobody is stopping them from offering more or dropping the prices so their 8 core part doesnt cost as much as intels 20 core part. Until they do that intel will remain most efficient at the mid and low range.
Panther_SeraphinThe 10 and 11900k doesnt exist in your Universe huh.......

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?
The 10900k wasnt pulling more power than the 5950x did in games. I have no clue about 11,those chips were garbage.
Posted on Reply
#135
blinnbanir
JustBenchingThe 10900k wasnt pulling more power than the 5950x did in games. I have no clue about 11,those chips were garbage.
Total BS
Posted on Reply
#136
A Computer Guy
JustBenchingThe comparisons are done on pricepoints, not on core counts.
LOL you just moved the goal post.
JustBenchingCore counts are meaningless.
JustBenchingYour basically saying that amd is slower and less efficient cause it has less cores.
I'm saying you haven't made your point because your comparison is garbage because core count matters in the performance/power comparison.
JustBenchingOh well, nobody is stopping them from offering more or dropping the prices so their 8 core part doesnt cost as much as intels 20 core part. Until they do that intel will remain most efficient at the mid and low range.
Have a great day.
Posted on Reply
#137
Panther_Seraphin
JustBenchingThe 10900k wasnt pulling more power than the 5950x did in games. I have no clue about 11,those chips were garbage.


5950x less power than 10/11/12th gen in gaming on average
Posted on Reply
#138
JustBenching
A Computer Guy'm saying you haven't made your point because your comparison is garbage because core count matters in the performance/power comparison.
Yes, corecounts do matter, that's why intel is more r efficient, cause they offer more cores. Anyways, im out,this is madness.
Posted on Reply
#139
Rover4444
Wow! I sure am glad I'm not caught in another shitty argument that spans three pages! Thank you, ignore button!

Just buy the Microcenter 265K bundle, guys. CUDIMM support, Z890 boards, and $200 less than the X670E 9800X3D combo. No need to argue :pimp:
Posted on Reply
#140
Outback Bronze
Sorry guys take a break. This thread has flown off the rails.
Posted on Reply
Nov 14th, 2026 00:28 CST change timezone

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