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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsA leak attributed to LC Tech Leaks lists seven prospective Intel Nova Lake-S desktop CPUs, including a Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC said to have 28 cores and up to 144 MB of bLLC. Those names and specifications are unconfirmed, and reporting on the flagship’s core count conflicts: Tom’s Hardware says 28 in its prose but lists 24 in its table.
What the Nova Lake desktop CPU leak claims
Wccftech says the seven-model list came from LC Tech Leaks on October 1, 2026. The reported configurations, power figures, cache and graphics details below are leak claims, not Intel-confirmed specifications. PL1 is the listed base-power tier; the sources do not establish performance or total system power.
| Reported model | Reported core mix and total | Reported power, cache and graphics |
|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC | 8 P + 16 E + 4 LPE; 28 cores according to Wccftech | 125 W PL1; BFC-tagged, up to 144 MB bLLC; 32 EUs |
| Core Ultra 9 4950K | 8 P + 16 E + 4 LPE; 28 cores in Wccftech’s table | 125 W PL1; no BFC or bLLC listed; 32 EUs |
| Core Ultra 9 4900 BFC | 6 P + 12 E + 4 LPE; 22 cores | 65 W PL1; BFC-tagged, up to 144 MB bLLC; 32 EUs |
| Core Ultra 7 4870K BFC | 8 P + 12 E + 4 LPE; 24 cores | 125 W PL1; BFC-tagged, up to 144 MB bLLC; 32 EUs |
| Core Ultra 7 4850K | 8 P + 12 E + 4 LPE; 24 cores | 125 W PL1; no BFC or bLLC listed; 32 EUs |
| Core Ultra 5 4650KF | 6 P + 12 E + 4 LPE; 22 cores | 125 W PL1; no integrated graphics listed |
| Core Ultra 5 4650K | 6 P + 12 E + 4 LPE; 22 cores | 125 W PL1; no BFC or bLLC listed; 32 EUs |
Source for the reported lineup: Wccftech’s Nova Lake lineup report; Tom’s Hardware also discusses the list and the discrepancy below.
Why the 4970K BFC core count is uncertain
The advertised flagship claim is not consistent across the coverage. Tom’s Hardware’s article prose describes the Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC as a 28-core CPU, but its table labels the same 8 P + 16 E + 4 LPE configuration as “24 (8 + 16 + 4).” The components add to 28, and Wccftech also reports 28; the table entry is therefore inconsistent with both its own configuration and the prose. The safest description is that the leak reports a 28-core flagship, while one published table contains a conflicting 24-core figure. Neither count is confirmed by Intel. Tom’s Hardware’s report and Wccftech’s lineup table show the different presentations.
#1 Best Overall
- Next‑Gen Platform Support: Compatible with Intel 800 Series Chipset‑based motherboards with LGA1851 Socket enabling PCIe 5.0/4.0 and high‑speed DDR5 memory (up to 7200 MT/s).
- High‑Performance Core Configuration: Features up to 24 cores (8 P‑cores + 16 E‑cores) for demanding gaming and creator
- Ultra‑Fast Boost Clocks: Reaches up to 5.5 GHz max turbo frequency for top‑tier responsiveness and performance
- Built for Enthusiasts: Unlocked for performance tuning when paired with Intel Z‑series chipsets, making it ideal for overclockers and power users.
- Robust Power & Thermal Design: Engineered with 125W base power and 250W max turbo power to sustain high‑intensity
What BFC, bLLC and the graphics figures do—and do not—tell us
BFC and bLLC
Three models in the leak carry the BFC suffix: the 4970K BFC, 4900 BFC and 4870K BFC. Wccftech associates those variants with up to 144 MB of bLLC. Tom’s Hardware says BFC seems to be Intel branding for bLLC, but that interpretation is itself unconfirmed; treat both the expansion and the cache allocation as reported, not finalized product details. The leak provides no independent tests showing how bLLC would affect games or other workloads.
Integrated graphics
Tom’s Hardware reports 32 execution units (EUs) for most of the listed models and says the 4650KF lacks integrated graphics. It speculates that 32 EUs could correspond to four Xe cores; that is an interpretation, not an official Nova Lake graphics specification. The KF row’s graphics field is absent rather than a stated EU count.
Rank #2
- Get ultra-efficient with Intel Core Ultra desktop processors that improve both performance and efficiency so your PC can run cooler, quieter, and quicker.
- Core and Threads 24 cores (8 P-cores plus 16 E-cores) and 24 threads. Integrated Intel Graphics included
- Performance Hybrid Architecture Integrates two core microarchitectures, prioritizing and distributing workloads to optimize performance
- Performance Unlocked Up to 5.7 GHz unlocked. 40MB Cache
- Compatibility Compatible with Intel 800 series chipset-based motherboards
How the leaked lineup compares with a documented Intel desktop CPU
Intel’s 2024 Series 2 product brief lists the Core Ultra 9 285K with 24 processor cores, 36 MB of Intel Smart Cache, 125 W processor base power and 250 W maximum turbo power. These are official brief specifications, not benchmark results, and they provide context only: they do not verify Nova Lake’s reported core counts, cache, power figures, performance or compatibility. Intel’s Series 2 product brief.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about confirmation, timing and performance
No official Intel statement confirming these seven Nova Lake SKU names or specifications appears in the reviewed material. Tom’s Hardware reports Nova Lake-associated components in USB-IF and PCI-SIG compliance and interoperability listings, but cautions that it cannot identify an unidentified PCIe processor entry with certainty as a desktop Nova Lake CPU. That reporting may indicate platform work; it does not validate this SKU list. Tom’s Hardware’s compliance-listing report.
The Tool Desk
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- 20 cores (8 P-cores + 12 E-cores) and 20 threads. Integrated Intel Graphics included
- Performance hybrid architecture integrates two core microarchitectures, prioritizing and distributing workloads to optimize performance
- Up to 5.3 GHz. 36 MB Cache
- Compatible with Intel 800 series chipset-based motherboards
- Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0, and PCIe 5.0 & 4.0 support. Intel Optane Memory support. No thermal solution included
The available reports establish no Nova Lake prices, confirmed retail availability, release date, motherboard compatibility or independently measured benchmarks. The listed core, cache and power figures therefore cannot support a ranking for gaming or other workloads.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 14 threads. Integrated Intel Graphics included
- Performance hybrid architecture integrates two core microarchitectures, prioritizing and distributing workloads to optimize performance
- Up to 4.9 GHz. 22 MB Cache
- Compatible with Intel 800 series chipset-based motherboards
- PCIe 5.0 & 4.0 support. Intel Optane Memory support. No thermal solution included.
Rank #4
- 10 cores (6 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 14 threads.
- Performance hybrid architecture integrates two core microarchitectures, prioritizing and distributing workloads to optimize performance
- Up to 4.9 GHz. 22 MB Cache
- Compatible with Intel 800 series chipset-based motherboards
- PCIe 5.0 & 4.0 support. Intel Optane Memory support. No thermal solution included. Discrete graphics required
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
