Intel’s Nova Lake CPUs to Feature Huge BLLC Cache in Bid to Outpace AMD X3D

July 28, 2025 – 14:00 ET

Intel’s next-generation desktop processors, codenamed Nova Lake, could bring major performance improvements—particularly in gaming—thanks to a newly leaked specification highlighting a massive last-level cache design called “BLLC.” These chips are positioned to directly rival AMD’s successful X3D processors, known for their enhanced cache configurations that boost gaming and productivity workloads.

Intel’s Nova Lake Strategy: Bigger Cache and More Cores

According to leaked details shared by hardware leaker @OneRaichu, Intel’s Nova Lake lineup will include CPUs equipped with eight performance (P) cores and sixteen efficient (E) cores, paired with a significantly expanded last-level cache known as BLLC (Big Last Level Cache). This configuration is designed to rival AMD’s Ryzen 7000 and upcoming Zen 6 X3D chips, which have dominated cache-based performance gains in gaming scenarios.

Intel also plans a high-end Nova Lake variant with a doubled core count—sixteen P-cores and thirty-two E-cores. However, this model reportedly will not include the BLLC feature. Instead, the BLLC will be reserved for select high-performance gaming CPUs, similar to how AMD segments its lineup into X3D and non-X3D chips.

Two-Tier Cache Configurations Target Different Segments

A separate leak from @Haze2K1 suggests that Intel will launch at least two BLLC-equipped CPUs. Both models are expected to feature eight P-cores and four low-power efficient (LPE) cores, paired with either twelve or sixteen E-cores, depending on the SKU. These CPUs will reportedly fall under the Intel Core Ultra 5 and Ultra 7 branding and are targeted squarely at gaming and high-performance desktop users.

Both CPUs are rumored to carry a 125W TDP, which aligns them with today’s high-performance gaming processors. These chips are expected to serve as Intel’s response to AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D and future Zen 6-based chips that leverage additional cache for gaming advantages.

BLLC Cache: Intel’s Answer to AMD’s X3D

The standout feature in these leaks is the BLLC technology, which is expected to boost the L3 cache from the standard 36MB seen in recent Intel chips to as much as 144MB in Nova Lake CPUs. This would exceed the 96MB L3 cache available in AMD’s current top-end gaming chip, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.

To add context, AMD is also reportedly planning to increase its L3 cache in Zen 6 to 144MB for its 12-core X3D gaming chips, matching Intel’s leaked Nova Lake figures. There’s also speculation that AMD is exploring a two-high 3D cache stack, potentially pushing L3 cache sizes up to 240MB per chiplet—a move that would redefine cache-heavy gaming and workstation performance.

Intel’s strategy appears to be a direct counter to AMD’s X3D innovations. By integrating large L3 caches into select Nova Lake CPUs, Intel aims to recapture the gaming performance lead, which it ceded in recent years to AMD’s cache-boosted models.

Timeline and Product Differentiation

Intel’s Nova Lake CPUs with standard core counts and BLLC are expected to launch first, with the higher-core-count model (16P + 32E) arriving roughly one quarter later, according to @OneRaichu’s leak. This staggered release is likely a strategic move to let Intel build market momentum before introducing its more workstation-oriented chips.

It’s worth noting that only specific SKUs in the Nova Lake family will include the BLLC technology—an approach similar to AMD’s segmentation of X3D versus non-X3D chips. This helps Intel serve both gaming enthusiasts and productivity-focused professionals without overlapping performance tiers.

AMD Zen 6 Competition Will Be Fierce

AMD is not standing still. Alongside the aforementioned cache increases, Zen 6 CPUs are expected to deliver 50% more cores per compute die (CCD), improving multithreaded performance and overall throughput. These gains are expected to arrive in late 2025 or early 2026, putting them on a collision course with Intel’s Nova Lake chips.

If both companies deliver on these promises, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive years in recent CPU history—not just in gaming but also in productivity and creative workloads.

Final Thoughts: A New Chapter in the CPU Wars

Intel’s BLLC-equipped Nova Lake CPUs suggest a serious effort to reclaim the performance crown from AMD. With massive L3 caches and enhanced core configurations, Nova Lake could mark a turning point after several years of AMD dominance in the gaming sector. However, as with all leaks, these specifications remain unconfirmed and should be treated cautiously until officially revealed by Intel.

Still, the direction is clear: larger caches, more cores, and smarter segmentation are becoming the new battleground for desktop CPUs. Enthusiasts, gamers, and professionals alike should keep a close eye on developments from both Intel and AMD in the coming months.