Intel Core Ultra 9 4950K Could Signal New Naming Scheme for Nova Lake-S

Intel's upcoming desktop CPU generation, part of the "Nova Lake-S" processor family, might adopt a new naming convention that returns to a four-digit format, unlike the current three-digit format used in the "Arrow Lake" family. According to a leaked CPU-Z submission, Intel's Core Ultra 9 4950K has been identified as a 28-core "Nova Lake-S" desktop chip. It features 8 "Coyote Cove" P-Cores, 16 "Arctic Wolf" E-Cores, and 4 LPE-Cores. This chip was tested on an unknown Z990 high-end overclocking platform, where it achieved over 1,000 points in single-core CPU-Z rankings and exceeded 20,000 points in multicore performance. This performance surpasses any consumer-focused desktop CPU currently available.

Despite this information, it's still uncertain if the naming convention is final. Intel is testing many SKUs for "Nova Lake-S," and a four-digit naming could be necessary due to the numerous SKUs and configurations. Some leakers, like Golden Pig Upgrade and Gotou_3rd, have suggested that the four-digit naming is a possibility, leaving room for speculation. Interestingly, qualification samples for NVL-S have not yet started shipping, but we can expect these shipments in the coming weeks, before manufacturers and motherboard makers begin integrating the latest CPU generation into their products.