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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →A leak attributed to LC Tech Leaks lists seven prospective Intel Nova Lake-S desktop CPUs, including a Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC described in some coverage as a 28-core part with up to 144 MB of bLLC and 125 W base power. Those details are unconfirmed, and the flagship’s core count is inconsistent across reports: Tom’s Hardware’s prose says 28, while its table says 24; Wccftech also reports 28.
What the Nova Lake-S leak claims
Wccftech attributed the seven-model list to LC Tech Leaks on October 1, 2026. The names, core configurations, power ratings, cache figures, and graphics details below are leak claims, not Intel-confirmed specifications. PL1 is the reported base-power rating.
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| Reported model | Reported core mix and total | Other reported details |
|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC | 8 P-cores + 16 E-cores + 4 LPE-cores; 28 cores in Wccftech’s account | 125 W PL1; BFC-tagged, with up to 144 MB bLLC reported; 32 EUs |
| Core Ultra 9 4950K | 8 P + 16 E + 4 LPE; 28 cores | 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, with up to 144 MB bLLC reported; 32 EUs |
| Core Ultra 7 4870K BFC | 8 P + 12 E + 4 LPE; 24 cores | 125 W PL1; BFC-tagged, with up to 144 MB bLLC reported; 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; integrated graphics not listed |
| Core Ultra 5 4650K | 6 P + 12 E + 4 LPE; 22 cores | 125 W PL1; no BFC or bLLC listed; 32 EUs |
Why reports disagree on the 4970K BFC’s cores
The reported 8+16+4 configuration totals 28 cores. Wccftech gives that total, and Tom’s Hardware’s prose also calls the Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC a 28-core CPU. However, Tom’s table labels it “24 (8 + 16 + 4),” a total that does not match its listed core mix. The leak reports therefore support describing 28 as the claimed configuration, while making the published discrepancy clear rather than treating the count as settled.
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What BFC, bLLC, and the graphics figures mean here
BFC and bLLC
Three listed models carry the BFC suffix: the 4970K, 4900, and 4870K. Wccftech links those variants to up to 144 MB of bLLC. Tom’s Hardware says BFC seems to be Intel branding associated with bLLC, but neither the suffix expansion nor this implementation is confirmed by Intel. The leak does not establish that every BFC model will ship with exactly 144 MB; it reports “up to” that amount.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Integrated graphics
Tom’s Hardware reports 32 execution units (EUs) for most listed models and says the 4650KF lacks integrated graphics. Its suggestion that 32 EUs could correspond to four Xe cores is an interpretation, not an official Nova Lake graphics specification. The leak’s absence of a graphics entry for the KF should not be extended into claims about other unlisted graphics capabilities.
How much of the lineup is independently established?
Tom’s Hardware has also reported Nova Lake-associated components in USB-IF and PCI-SIG compliance or interoperability listings. That is limited evidence of platform development; the publication cautions that it cannot say with certainty whether an unidentified PCIe processor entry belongs to a desktop Nova Lake CPU. Such listings do not verify these seven SKU names, their core counts, cache capacities, or performance.
Rank #2
- 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
No Intel statement confirming the listed Nova Lake desktop SKUs was identified in the material reviewed for this article. The official Intel reference available here concerns a different product generation: its 2024 Series 2 brief lists the Core Ultra 9 285K with 24 processor cores, 36 MB Intel Smart Cache, 125 W processor base power, and 250 W maximum turbo power. These are published specifications, not benchmark results, and do not substantiate the Nova Lake leak.
What the list does—and does not—tell buyers
The table gives a tentative picture of Intel’s reported model tiers and configurations: three BFC-tagged entries, a reported 65 W PL1 option in the Core Ultra 9 4900 BFC, and several 125 W PL1 models. It does not show how fast any of them will be, how they will perform in games, what they will cost, when they will go on sale, or which motherboards they will support. No independently measured benchmark results or confirmed retail availability are established.
Rank #3
- 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
For now, treat the 4970K BFC’s 28-core figure and 144 MB bLLC claim as headline leak details—not buying specifications. The 24-versus-28 reporting conflict makes confirmation especially important before comparing it with actual products.
Sources: Tom’s Hardware’s Nova Lake leak coverage; Wccftech’s report on the seven-model list; Tom’s Hardware’s compliance-listing coverage; Intel’s Series 2 product brief.
Quick Recap
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
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