New leaks about Intel‘s upcoming Nova Lake processor architecture suggest that cutting efficiency cores (E-cores) will not affect the amount of L3 cache on several cut-down models.
According to well-known leaker Jaykihn, variants that disable a single cluster of four E-cores will keep the same amount of L3 cache as models where all clusters are fully enabled.
Previous information suggested that reducing the number of cores would directly result in a similar reduction in L3 cache. However, the updated specifications show something different.
Intel Nova Lake Keeps Full L3 Cache Even With Fewer E-Cores
Models with a configuration of 8P + 12E + 4 LP-E will keep 36 MB of L3 cache, exactly the same amount as the higher-end 8P + 16E + 4 LP-E variant.
The 4P + 4E + 4 LP-E configuration would have 18 MB of L3 cache, matching the 4P + 8E + 4 LP-E version instead of dropping to 15 MB.
Other variants, such as the 6P + 12E + 4 LP-E configuration, are expected to have 27 MB of L3 cache, while entry-level models without dedicated E-cores, such as 4P + 0E and 2P + 0E, will keep 12 MB and 6 MB, respectively.
Keeping the cache intact when one E-core cluster is disabled will apply not only to desktop chips but also to Nova Lake-HX, the lineup designed for high-performance laptops.
This means that mid-range variants will have more L3 cache for each available core. This is important for tasks that are sensitive to memory latency, such as gaming and some creative applications, where the amount of cache can play an important role in performance.
Intel has not officially confirmed the final Nova Lake lineup or its final specifications, but these leaked details provide a clearer picture of how the company plans to divide its new generation of processors.
