According to the latest news disclosed by well-known whistleblower Jaykihn on the X platform, Intel's next-generation "Nova Lake-S" desktop processor to be launched later this year is undergoing major adjustments. Some models equipped with large-scale integrated graphics will place extremely high demands on power supply, thus pushing up the overall TDP and peak power consumption.
Specifically, a Nova Lake-S processing chip with 16 CPU cores and 12 Xe3P graphics cores is expected to consume up to 65W of integrated graphics alone. The CPU part of the processor adopts a 4+8+4 architecture consisting of 4 performance cores (P-Core), 8 energy efficiency cores (E-Core), and 4 low-power energy efficiency cores (LPE-Core). In order to meet the strong performance needs of this 12-core Xe3P iGPU, Intel broke the traditional design - the integrated graphics of ordinary processors usually only require a single-phase VCCGT power supply rail, and this product with special specifications will become one of the very few desktop processors that requires a dual-phase VCCGT power supply phase.
In addition, revelations about the Nova Lake-S series flagship products further demonstrate the power consumption flexibility of the architecture. Previously, it was reported that the 52-core top model, which focuses on extreme overclocking and is designed with dual computing chips, has a power consumption of up to 474W in PL2 mode. Affected by this, high-end Z990 motherboards may be equipped with up to three 8-pin CPU auxiliary power supply connectors. Although this extreme three-port design is mainly aimed at enthusiast overclockers, major motherboard manufacturers have been comprehensively adjusting VRM power supply designs to cope with the arrival of high-power consumption platforms.
In terms of product release rhythm, basic and low-end models are expected to be released first. Nova Lake-S will provide various combinations of single computing chips (up to 28 cores) and dual computing chips (up to 52 cores). The CPU core is based on the "Coyote Cove" performance core and the "Arctic Wolf" energy efficiency core, and 4 LPE cores are integrated into the I/O chip. It is reported that the new 28-core "Nova Lake-S" DS version is scheduled to be launched in the first quarter of 2027; and the much-anticipated "K" series regular model for ordinary overclocking players is expected to be officially launched from March to April 2027 (i.e. early in the second quarter).