The first Intel Nova Lake-S CPU models have been leaked: a Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC tops the list

Intel’s next-generation desktop processors are taking shape with the list of the first seven Core Ultra 4000 models.

Let’s clarify one important point right away: Intel hasn’t officially announced anything yet. However, Nova Lake-S continues to be revealed through a series of leaks, and the latest one—reported by the website VideoCardz—sheds light on what appear to be the first seven models Intel will release. The star of this list is undoubtedly the Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC, a processor that would be positioned one tier above the previously mentioned Core Ultra 9 4950K. The Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC is said to feature a particularly powerful configuration with 8 P-cores (high-performance cores), 16 E-cores (efficient cores), and 4 LP-cores (low-power cores). In total, this amounts to 28 cores, while the chip would maintain a thermal design power (TDP) of 125 W and also feature an integrated graphics processor with 32 execution units.

Expected specifications for Intel’s first seven Nova Lake processors. © VideoCardz

Beyond the number of cores, what sets this 4970K apart from the other Core Ultra 4000 processors are the three letters “BFC,” which form a new suffix. Everything suggests that this is the trade name for a technology Intel has already unveiled to compete with AMD’s X3D, but which has been known until now by another name: bLLC, short for “Big Last Level Cache.” As with AMD, the stated goal is to boost performance in certain types of applications, particularly video games. However, the exact cache size associated with the 4970K BFC has not been confirmed at this stage. Of course, since we mentioned earlier that there is a list of the first seven models, the 4970K is not alone.

The leaked list also includes a Core Ultra 9 4950K, equipped with 8 P-cores and 16 E-cores, as well as a Core Ultra 9 4900 BFC. The latter would feature a configuration of 6 P-cores, 12 E-cores, and 4 LP-cores, for a total of 22 cores, while lowering its thermal design power to 65 W. This variant could thus be an attractive option for more compact or energy-efficient devices. The Core Ultra 7 lineup is also expected to consist of two models: the 4870K BFC and the 4850K. The former would logically benefit from the additional cache while featuring 24 cores (8 P-cores, 12 E-cores, and 4 LP-cores), whereas the latter would retain a similar core configuration but without BFC technology—which makes sense given its name. Finally, the Core Ultra 5 segment would be represented by the 4650K and 4650KF, both announced with 18 cores. The KF model would be distinguished by the absence of any integrated graphics.