Intel Nova Lake-AX Expected to Feature Up to 48 Xe3 Cores, But Launch Remains Uncertain

Intel’s Nova Lake-AX processor lineup promises to deliver formidable integrated graphics performance, although its actual market debut remains uncertain.

Overview of Intel’s Nova Lake-AX: Up to 28 Cores and 384 Execution Units

Recent reports have shed light on Intel’s anticipated Nova Lake-AX lineup, which seems aimed at enthusiasts in the mobile computing space. While Intel has not officially confirmed the details, leaks suggest that the Nova Lake-AX will be positioned above the Nova Lake-H family, designed for mainstream laptops. Previous information indicates that the high-end Nova Lake S/HX models could feature up to 52 cores by combining 16 Performance cores (P-cores), 32 Efficient cores (E-cores), and 4 Low-Power Efficient cores.

In contrast, the Nova Lake-AX is expected to deliver a more modest core configuration, comprising 8 P-cores and 16 E-cores, totaling 28 cores—a robust setup tailored for various computing tasks. The standout feature, however, is its impressive 384 Execution Units built on the advanced Xe3P architecture, along with compatibility for LPDDR5X memory speeds reaching up to 9600/10, 667 MT/s. This marks a significant advancement compared to current-generation offerings.

With this high core count, the Nova Lake-AX is set to challenge AMD’s Strix Halo, which boasts up to 40 Compute Units based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture. Translating the 384 Execution Units into Xe3 cores reveals the equivalent of approximately 48 Xe3 cores, suggesting that this configuration can deliver substantial mid-range GPU performance due to the improved efficiency and performance compared to previous architectures.

Currently, the Intel Core Ultra 200H lineup includes up to 8 Xe2 cores, which sufficiently support gaming and demanding graphical applications. While not the top choice in the market, it does represent a notable generational improvement for Intel. Theoretically, with 48 Xe3 cores, the Nova Lake-AX could significantly outperform competitors like the Radeon 8060S, although this remains speculation at this stage.

However, it’s crucial to approach these developments with caution. Though promising, reports from sources like Raichu suggest that the launch of Nova Lake-AX is not guaranteed, casting doubt on the feasibility of these ambitious specifications. While Intel has the technological capacity to realize these performance levels, substantial evidence substantiating these claims is still lacking.

Source & Images