The silicon landscape is set for seismic shifts as leaked specifications reveal Intel’s upcoming Nova Lake mobile processors will pack up to 28 hybrid cores in flagship configurations. According to hardware leaker Jaykihn on X (August 9, 2025), these next-generation CPUs – slated for the Core Ultra 400 family – will feature radical core count increases across mobile segments when they debut in late 2026. The disclosures provide the first concrete look at Intel’s performance roadmap beyond Panther Lake.
What Do the Nova Lake Mobile Configurations Reveal?
Top-tier Nova Lake-HX chips will reportedly combine 8 next-gen Coyote Cove P-cores, 16 Arctic Wolf E-cores, and 4 low-power Arctic Wolf LP-E cores – totaling 28 processing cores. This represents a significant leap from current Arrow Lake-HX processors while maintaining similar thermal envelopes around 55W. Unlike desktop variants, industry source Ruby_Rapids indicates mobile chips won’t feature dual compute tiles, making this 28-core configuration the apex offering for laptops.
The mainstream Nova Lake-H series will target performance laptops with configurations including:
- 4 P-cores + 8 E-cores + 4 LP-E cores + 12 Xe GPU cores
- 4 P-cores + 8 E-cores + 4 LP-E cores + 4 Xe GPU cores
Entry-level Nova Lake-U chips will focus on efficiency with:
- 4 P-cores + 4 LP-E cores + 4 Xe GPU cores
- 2 P-cores + 4 LP-E cores + 2 Xe GPU cores
Nova Lake Mobile Configurations (Source: @Jaykihn)
| Segment | P-Cores | E-Cores | LP-E Cores | Xe GPU Cores | TDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HX (Flagship) | 8 | 16 | 4 | 4 | ~55W |
| H (Performance) | 4 | 8 | 4 | 12 | ~28W |
| H (Performance) | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 | ~28W |
| U (Efficient) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | ~28W |
| U (Efficient) | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | ~15W |
How Will Nova Lake Redefine Mobile Computing Performance?
The 28-core HX variant specifically targets gaming laptops and mobile workstations, potentially doubling the core density of current high-end mobile CPUs. Architectural improvements could deliver even greater gains – Nova Lake shifts to the all-new Coyote Cove P-core and Arctic Wolf E-core designs manufactured on Intel’s advanced 18A process node. This combination promises generational IPC improvements alongside power efficiency gains.
Notably, the GPU configuration strategy diverges between segments. While HX chips prioritize CPU throughput with just 4 Xe cores, H-series processors offer up to 12 Xe graphics cores – aligning with Intel’s emphasis on balanced performance for content creators. This positions Nova Lake-H chips as potential rivals to AMD’s Phoenix and Strix Point APUs in graphics-intensive workloads.
Industry analysts note that if Intel maintains its typical 12-18 month release cadence, Nova Lake will likely arrive after the Panther Lake family in late 2026. The leaked configurations suggest Intel is aggressively expanding core counts to counter AMD’s Zen 5 and Zen 6 architectures, particularly in the high-margin premium laptop segment where both companies increasingly focus innovation resources.
The road to Nova Lake’s launch remains long, but these leaks confirm Intel’s commitment to pushing core counts and architectural innovation further into mobile form factors than ever before. With 28 hybrid cores potentially arriving in enthusiast laptops by late 2026, professionals and gamers alike should prepare for transformative performance thresholds in portable computing. Follow trusted tech publications for verified benchmarks as development progresses.
Must Know
What is Intel Nova Lake?
Nova Lake represents Intel’s next-generation CPU architecture succeeding Panther Lake, featuring entirely new Coyote Cove P-cores and Arctic Wolf E-cores. Built on the Intel 18A process node, these chips will launch under the Core Ultra 400 branding in late 2026 for both desktop and mobile platforms.
How many cores will top Nova Lake mobile CPUs have?
Flagship Nova Lake-HX mobile processors will reportedly feature 28 total cores: 8 performance cores, 16 efficiency cores, and 4 low-power efficiency cores. This hybrid configuration targets enthusiast gaming laptops and mobile workstations needing maximum throughput.
When will Nova Lake laptops launch?
Based on Intel’s typical release cycles and insider reports, Nova Lake-powered laptops are expected to arrive in Q3-Q4 2026. The architecture will debut after Panther Lake mobile CPUs, which are slated for early 2026.
What GPU technology will Nova Lake use?
Nova Lake will integrate Intel’s Xe³ “Celestial” graphics architecture. Core counts will vary by segment: HX chips prioritize CPU power with 4 Xe cores, while H-series models offer up to 12 Xe cores for enhanced integrated graphics performance.
How does Nova Lake compare to current Intel mobile CPUs?
Nova Lake’s 28-core HX configuration significantly exceeds the 24-core maximum in current Arrow Lake-HX processors. The new Arctic Wolf/Coyote Cove architectures also promise IPC gains and efficiency improvements over today’s Lion Cove P-cores and Skymont E-cores.
