Saturday, June 28th 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
I'm not surprised you bring up the X3D issue, which was only a few cpu's in comparison, and was the fault of mobo manufacturers pushing up voltages.
Even if put your feet to the fire you won't admit the obvious, intel handled it impeccably good.
If you need to run within a certain power budget then a fixed wattage changes the efficiency outcome by that specific scenario. From arguments back and forth on TPU I get the idea that Intel (12/13/14th gen+) is more efficient at lower half of Ryzens' power curve but Ryzen is more efficient toward the upper half of it's power curve. (talking about multi-core)
To bring this point closer to the topic of v-cache, if Intel decides not to bring it's v-cache solution to desktop then AMD will likely keep the crown of efficiency at least among games that benefit from v-cache.
Intel "Did" something back then by offering extended RMA's, and its widely caused by setting every single voltage setting to "Auto", me myself and I never used Auto, my chips are still alive and stomping at 6ghz all day.. (2x13900KS,1x14700K,1x13600K)
I'd never be turned off by such a minor (spun to major) issue which I believe is easy to solve when you learn to read, rather trusting YTube for everything, even food..
AMD on the other hand, denies any warranty for both board and processor when it catches fire..my 9950X3D belly bottom is having a change of color, I dunno why, Asus never helped, nor AMD, and I believe I will be left alone somewhere when it burns..
The same analogy with cpus would either be both running at the same power or both running at the same "speed", and speed would be time to finish the task. For example how much power does a 265k need to get 30k CBR score vs how much power does the 9700x need? Im sure the amd part will consume many times more power than the intel part. The arguments back and forth have convinced you of that because they are comparing intel unlocked parts that draw a gazilion power out of the box. If you limit them to the same power as their amd counterparts, OR test the actual locked parts (non k / T cpus) youll realize that especially in the midrange due to the core count deficiency AMD chips are laughably bad in the efficiency department.
CPU's aren't cars and the ramification of locking frequency directly can drastically effect power management so you have to keep in mind to a certain extent you are comparing apples to oranges when frequency is not limited. In my opinion anyway the efficiency metric that seems to matter the most and easiest to compare is being able to get the most work done in a fixed amount of time. When it comes to comparing CPU's it's nice to see comparisons both out of the box and with reasonable power levels to get a more complete picture comparing efficiency knowing that it's not a perfect comparison unlike comparing a K vs. non-K part that are architecturally the same.
When it comes to potential v-cache Intel enabled parts many will be looking at FPS figures as their metric of comparison for games that rely on v-cache. Speed is speed, time is time, your mixing things up here. To my understanding Intel advocates say running K parts at non-K power levels is essentially the same thing as a non-K part. Did you just contradict yourself? "Just Benching previously said: That's why if you eg compare a 265k to a 265 non k the latter will look a lot more efficient, because it has a lower power limit, but in reality it isn't actually more efficient. If anything it might even be worse due to worse binning." Your non-K comments just entered schrodinger's cat territory I think.
You grab a 9700x and a 265k, you lock them to the same power or target the same performance (eg 30k score in cbr), the 265k will both be faster and more efficient. I don't see why we are exchanging 30 posts about something so trivial. The 9700x needs 600 watts to score 30k, the 265k need 150.
At best your getting a statistic on how much power will be consumed at a given CB score which might not be a realistic representation of efficiency for either CPU. It's Sunday. I don't think running a 9700x at 600 watts is an option so what you just said is irrelevant and non-sensical.
I missed the fact your comparing a 20 core part to an 8 core part.
What a waste of time per word efficiency!
My v-cache is full and this is where I am going to end.
I don't get how teh same people complaining about intel's 4 core 10 years ago are fine with 6 core and 8 core parts from amd when their competition offers 20. Brand fanboyism is the death of reason
A game might be slightly multithreaded, but it doesn't want 16 cores of POS slow cores. Tell me who has the fastest single threaded performance right now?
But im sure you will tell me that doesn't matter either right?
And i followed your advice, looked at the reviews. The 265k at 95w scores 28k in CBR23. Explain to me how the 9700x is more efficient than that
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
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
AMD killed Intel with a processor with limited compromises. It could keep up/beat HEDT offerings in productivity without the HEDT Tax while being within single digit percentages of the desktop class processors in gaming without requiring a nuclear power stations cooling or output to keep up.
If Intel were in the lead we would probably have 6 cores at most and they'd still be on 10nm, with ridiculous segmentation on high end desktop.
By the time Intel responds with Nova lake, it will require a new motherboard, while anyone with a b650 or x670 motherboard can have a drop in upgrade from Zen 4.
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.