Intel Nova Lake-S aims to push Core processor performance to a new level, with configurations of up to 52 cores. According to recent leaks, the “Dual Compute Tile” versions of these processors could reach power limits that almost double those of today’s flagship models.
Power Limits PL1, PL2, And PL4 Revealed
Early data shows a power structure divided into three main levels: PL1, PL2, and PL4.
PL1 (Base Power) is expected to sit at 150W, which is similar to current KS-series processors. The real jump appears in PL2 (Maximum Turbo Power), which could reach 496W. That is nearly double the 250W used by a Core Ultra 9 285K.
Finally, PL4, which measures short power spikes designed to protect the hardware, could go as high as 854W.
These numbers are extremely high for a desktop processor, but they reflect the design goals of this new generation.
Dual Compute Tile Design And 52-Core Configuration
The increase in power is not without reason. The Dual Compute Tile models are built to deliver up to 52 cores, including:
- 16 performance cores
- 32 efficiency cores
- 4 low-power cores
In addition, these chips could feature up to 320 MB of cache. In simple terms, Intel is placing the power of two high-end processors into a single LGA 1954 socket.
It is important to note that these figures apply to the top Dual Compute Tile models. Single-tile versions are expected to have more reasonable power levels, similar to the current Arrow Lake generation.
Nova Lake-S is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026 and will be Intel’s direct answer to AMD’s Zen 6 architecture. If these power limits are confirmed, users aiming for the highest-end models will need strong liquid cooling systems and power supplies capable of handling power spikes never before seen in the PC segment.
