Intel is apparently prioritising its Nova Lake CPUs with big last level cache (bLLC) for launch, according to a post from regular, and often-reliable tech leaker Jaykihn on X. In a recent Intel Nova Lake specs leak, it looked as though Intel is planning to add the ‘BFC’ initialism to these chips, which have a big helping of extra cache to bolster gaming performance, just like AMD’s X3D CPUs.
Responding to a question about whether these BFC variants would release alongside the standard models or later, Jaykihn said that “BFC will be the earliest launched among the lineup.” If true, that suggests Intel is adopting a gamer-focused strategy for the Nova Lake launch. It’s already stated that the architecture will launch on desktop first, rather than on servers, and now it looks as though the initial batch of chips will all have loads of cache as well.
Jaykihn also added a few other little nuggets in this thread on X. According to the leaker, Intel’s decision to change the numbering scheme from three to four digits, and starting with a ‘4’ rather than a ‘3’ was all down to a desire to differentiate its chips from AMD’s AI 400-series Gorgon Point chips.
“Intel isn’t changing naming schemes for no reason; these choices are never made lightly,” says Jaykihn in one post, “it is ultimately a reactionary measure that wouldn’t have to be made if AMD did not pivot their scheme first.
The leaker also states that there will be a discrepancy between sampling for Intel’s DS chips (the ones with two compute tiles rumoured to feature up to 52 cores), and models with one compute tile. Sampling for DS models will start in December 2026, says Jaykihn, “which is later than the other SKU segments in the Q1 lineup.”
We still don’t have a clear release window for Nova Lake, but it looks like it’s coming soon. We’ve already spotted Z990 motherboards in shipping records, as well as the forthcoming platforming passing PCIe and USB compliance tests.
In the meantime, check out our guide to buying the best CPU if you’re looking to upgrade your chip now.
