Nova Lake CPUs with cut-down E-core clusters may still retain full cache pool, says new leak — 8P+12E config predictions revised from 33MB to 36MB, 4P+4E config from 15MB to 18MB
A new leak from Jaykihn says some Nova Lake SKUs, including mobile counterparts, will retain the cache config of their fully-enabled variants despite having reduced E-cores.
Intel's upcoming Nova Lake CPUs have sparked rumors about their configuration and cache capacities. According to a fresh leak from Jaykihn, these CPUs may retain the full cache pool even with partially disabled E-core clusters, which could alter the previously predicted cache sizes. Previously, it was speculated that some Nova Lake configurations, like 8+12+4, would only have 33MB of L3 cache due to the 12 E-cores being cut down from the full 16.
However, it's now expected that this configuration will maintain 36MB of L3 cache, similar to the full-fat setup. Similarly, the 4+4+4 configuration is said to keep 18MB of L3 cache, matching the 4+8+4 SKUs. Jaykihn also reveals that single-cluster E-core cutdowns will retain the L3 cache configuration of the non-cutdown variant.
For instance, the 8+12+4 setup will have 36MB of L3 cache, just like the 8+16+4 model. Lower SKUs like 6+12+4 are still limited to 27MB of L3 cache. These revelations apply to both the desktop and mobile Nova Lake lineups, suggesting that midrange SKUs might have more cache than previously anticipated. This information is preliminary and subject to change before the launch.
While the introduction of bLLC in consumer CPUs is expected, it won't affect the native L3 cache sizes. All the rumored specifications are not confirmed by Intel and might vary due to internal segmentation.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Hardware's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
