Intel is reportedly working on Nova Lake CPUs with only E-cores designed for the Edge segment

The leaked Nova Lake CPU has 8 efficiency cores and 12Xe GPU cores, but it completely lacks any performance cores, which is a first.

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Hassam Nasir

Tech Reporter

Published May 25, 2026 4:30 PM CDT

2 minutes & 15 seconds read time

TL;DR: Intel's upcoming Core Ultra 400 "Nova Lake" processors include a unique Edge-focused model with only 8 "Arctic Wolf" E-cores and a large 12Xe integrated GPU, omitting performance cores. This design targets GPU-heavy Edge applications, with potential AI and virtualization optimizations, and may launch alongside the broader Nova Lake lineup later this year or by 2027.

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More information has surfaced regarding Intel's next-generation Core Ultra 400 "Nova Lake" processors. We know that Nova Lake is in advanced stages of production, as engineering samples have already started shipping. Now, we have more information about what the lineup might look like, at least on the embedded side.

According to a report by leaker Golden Pig Upgrade Pack on Weibo, corroborated by Videocardz, Intel is preparing a Nova Lake processor with an unusual 8E+12Xe configuration. This means the CPU lacks any performance cores and relies solely on the computing power of its "Arctic Wolf" E-cores. This CPU is apparently meant for Edge applications only.

Intel is reportedly working on Nova Lake CPUs with only E-cores designed for the Edge segment 1

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We have known Intel CPUs to have a hybrid P-core + E-core configuration for a few years now, but this is the first rumored SKU we have seen with such a bizarre layout. Instead of going for P-cores, Intel is pairing the CPU cores with a large integrated GPU that has 12Xe units. This sort of configuration would not be very effective in normal computing, but it makes sense for Edge applications where the CPU takes a back seat to the GPU.

It should be noted that the original leak did not specify which generation of Xe units would be integrated into this CPU. The Xe3 "Battlemage" and Xe3P "Celestial" architectures make the most logical sense, and we have already seen 12 Xe3 cores provide decent GPU performance in Intel's Panther Lake chips.

Intel is reportedly working on Nova Lake CPUs with only E-cores designed for the Edge segment 3

Intel could also modify the usage of the iGPU in this particular SKU to better suit its application. We do not know whether Intel plans to release only one such CPU or multiple, but there could be software-level optimizations to make the 12Xe iGPU more useful, such as equipping it for AI inference, industrial edge applications, or virtualization.

The Core Ultra 400 "Nova Lake" lineup from Intel is expected to launch later this year, but Edge CPUs might be coming sometime in 2027. Nova Lake is rumored to be a versatile platform, which will include LGA/BGA models, bLLC designs with large amounts of cache, and now even a CPU design that lacks any P-cores.