Intel is reportedly using parts of its existing Xe3 graphics architecture to power the GPUs in its next-gen Nova Lake processors. If true, this decision suggests a more conservative approach to GPU integration, contrary to what was previously rumoured.
Last year, hardware leaker @jaykihn0 on X indicated that upcoming Core Ultra 400 series CPUs will feature a combination of Xe3 graphics with an Xe4 display engine. However, the same leaker now says this was a mistake, as the leaker has now posted a revised configuration coupling Xe3 graphics with an Xe3P media/display engine, offering an incremental jump rather than a complete overhaul. If this new rumour is correct, Intel’s Nova Lake chips won’t include any elements of the Xe4 Druid architecture, putting an end to the confusion caused by earlier reporting.
This claim is supported by recent Linux patch notes, which appear to reveal that Intel’s Nova Lake P platform uses Xe3 – the same powering Arc B300 Series iGPUs – alongside the newer Xe3P display engine. Despite not using the latest and greatest media engine, Nova Lake should still deliver good performance where it counts for most users when it comes to graphics. According to previous leaks and rumours, we can expect up to 12 Xe3 cores on the high-end CPU, as we’ve seen on Panther Lake chips, such as the Core Ultra X9 388H.
Aside from the graphics design, Nova Lake CPUs are also expected to feature a major refresh of the company’s P and E-core hybrid design, combining Coyote Cove P-cores with improved single-threaded throughput and Arctic Wolf E-cores with further efficiency boosts. On top of that, Nova Lake is said to pack up to 52 cores (16P + 32E + 4LPE) on consumer platforms, at a 175W TDP. This represents a significant increase over the number of cores in Arrow Lake and Arrow Lake Refresh CPUs, which max out at 24 cores (8P + 16E). Lastly, memory compatibility is also rumoured to be better, with native support for DDR5-8000 kits.
Intel is reportedly planning to release its Nova Lake lineup sometime in early 2027, including S/H/HX/U/UL variants. The use of Xe3 graphics plus an Xe3P media engine shouldn’t be a big deal, especially as AMD is also rumoured to be using RDNA3.5+ plus RDNA4m on its next-gen mainstream Medusa Point product series, instead of RDNA 5.
