Intel Nova Lake-S Core Ultra 9 4950K Engineering Sample Leaks: 28-Core, 16% Ahead of Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Intel's next-generation desktop processor Nova Lake-S flagship Core Ultra 9 4950K engineering sample has surfaced in CPU-Z benchmarks, showing a 28-core configuration (8 performance cores and 20 efficiency cores) with a multi-core score of about 20,000 points, 16% ahead of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2's ~17,300. The chip, part of the Core Ultra Series 4 family, is slated for release in 2027, with unlocked K variants arriving in March-April. Intel also announced in January 2016 that it would simulate Nova Lake CPU features in a software development simulator.
Intel's next-generation desktop processor Nova Lake-S flagship model Core Ultra 9 4950K early engineering sample has appeared in CPU-Z benchmark tests. The test was conducted on an unreleased Intel Z990 chipset motherboard, showcasing some performance aspects of the new platform. The processor features a 28-core configuration, including 8 performance cores and 20 efficiency cores, with a CPU-Z single-core score of approximately 1,000 points and a multi-core score of approximately 20,000 points, leading the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2's approximately 17,300 points by 16%.
Nova Lake-S will adopt a 4-digit naming system, similar to AMD's approach, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 4 processor family, succeeding Panther Lake (Core Ultra Series 3).
The 28-core processor is planned for release in the first and second quarters of 2027, with the unlocked 'K' series variants arriving in March-April 2027. Subsequently, 16-core and 8-core models will be launched, and a 52-core configuration based on two compute modules is planned for release from late May to September 2027. In January 2016, Intel announced that it would simulate Nova Lake CPU features in a software development simulator, providing a foundation for subsequent development.
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