Intel is set to launch its Nova Lake-S desktop processors, with a potential rollout in 2026. This launch might introduce a new LGA1954 socket, indicating yet another transition in the company’s consumer platform. Leaked shipping documents from NBD.ltd, shared by VideoCardz, reveal that Intel has started distributing preliminary test kits marked “NVL-S.” This suggests that motherboard manufacturers are already gearing up for this next-generation CPU series.
The new LGA 1954 socket is expected to contain 1,954 active electrical pins, a significant upgrade from the current LGA 1851 socket used with Arrow Lake desktop chips. The total pin count could surpass 2,000 when including debugging or non-functional pins. This larger socket design may facilitate enhanced I/O features, improved power delivery, and more sophisticated chiplet architectures.
Although Intel has yet to confirm any specifications, these developments suggest that users adopting Arrow Lake might need to invest in new motherboards with the arrival of Nova Lake. This could be disappointing for enthusiasts who hoped the LGA 1851 would have a longer lifecycle, as seen with the LGA 1700, which supported various generations of CPUs.
Preliminary leaks and rumors concerning the Nova Lake CPUs imply some significant architectural changes. A report earlier this year indicated that the flagship models might feature as many as 52 cores, composed of 16 performance cores, 32 efficiency cores, and 4 low-power efficiency (LPE) cores. Even entry-level versions are anticipated to retain a substantial number of efficiency and LPE cores, with configurations that could feature just 4 performance cores.
Further leaks hint at a dual-CCX (core complex) arrangement, reminiscent of AMD’s chiplet-based Ryzen CPUs, potentially accompanied by a substantial 144MB L3 cache tile that could enhance gaming performance similarly to AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology.
Regarding core architecture, the performance cores are expected to utilize the Coyote Cove design, while the efficiency cores will likely adopt a new Arctic Wolf architecture, both succeeding the Cougar Cove and Darkmont cores from the Panther Lake generation.
There are suggestions that Nova Lake might incorporate an off-die memory controller, which could introduce some latency. However, reports indicate that Intel has devised engineering strategies to mitigate any adverse effects on performance.
While official specifications remain undisclosed, the introduction of the LGA 1954 socket along with a revamped CPU architecture signifies a substantial advancement in Intel’s desktop offerings. Additional details are expected to emerge as we move closer to 2026.
