Intel Nova Lake desktop CPU could integrate a more powerful GPU to compete with AMD APUs, 12 next-gen Xe3P cores

Intel is reportedly preparing its most powerful desktop iGPU with the Nova Lake generation, with the idea of ​​catching up with AMD’s Ryzen APUs. Such a leap on the integrated GPU side could reshuffle the cards for machines without a dedicated card and for games at 1080p. If it sees the light of day, it would target more accessible configurations, where the price of components weighs heavily.

Intel wants to challenge AMD APUs with a beefy iGPU on its desktop Nova Lake CPUs

Intel’s Nova Lake CPUs are announced with a mix of Xe3 and Xe3P graphics architectures. The integrated graphics block would use Xe3, while the media/display engine would rely on Xe3P. Some portable models would use Xe3P for rendering and media/display. Despite a segmentation that can lead to confusion, Intel is preparing a desktop SKU with a significantly more ambitious graphics solution.

According to information shared by Jaykihn, Intel is working on a new Nova Lake desktop SKU with an atypical configuration. While the desktop range would cap at 2 Xe3 cores for the iGPU, this variant would feature 12 Xe3P cores.

The mentioned sheet would combine 4 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores and 4 LP-E Cores, for a total of 16 cores and 16 threads. We are talking here about a mid-range model in a family that can go up to 52 cores. The iGPU part attracts attention with 12 cores, 10 more than the rest of the Nova Lake series.

These 12 integrated cores would be interesting because they are based not on Xe3, but on the We will have to wait for final measurements with each generation Xe, Intel has already shown significant increases on the graphics side.

The current Panther Lake “Core Ultra Series 3†with 12 Xe3 cores already offer an excellent graphics level, so much so that 12 Xe3P cores on Nova Lake could be heavy. Enough to put pressure on AMD’s Ryzen APUs, limited to 8 RDNA 3.5 cores on the iGPU side on the desktop, without reaching the higher configurations of the Radeon 880M/890M (12 and 16 cores). Nova Lake could push AMD to also strengthen its desktop iGPUs.

One question remains: will we see a Nova Lake SKU combining large cache and reinforced iGPU? For the moment, the bLLC variants mainly target models with a large number of CPU cores, but we know that memory and cache bandwidth can boost an iGPU.

The Nova Lake platform will support higher DDR5 speeds, but fast kits risk negating the price advantage of these chips. A more generous cache could compensate for some of the bandwidth limitations. On the motherboard side, we are also talking about a requirement of two VRM VCCGT phases for desktop CPUs equipped with 12 Xe3P cores. An additional constraint which would reserve the full potential for high-end platforms, already necessary for models with many cores.

Interesting point: Intel would reserve its most advanced iGPU for a mid-range Nova Lake CPU. Logical, because users of high-end chips often opt for a dedicated GPU and only use the iGPU for troubleshooting. We wouldn’t say no to more comprehensive iGPUs at the entry level, just to offer a real economical option in a PC market where prices are soaring and where modest configurations lack alternatives.