Fresh rumors about Intel’s next-generation Nova Lake-S desktop processors are turning heads, and not just because of the expected jump in core counts. A newly leaked table shared by known leaker HXL lists a set of power limits for Nova Lake-S K-series chips, including PL1, PL2, PL3, and PL4 figures. If accurate, the numbers suggest some of Intel’s upcoming high-end desktop CPUs could push power consumption to levels that will have enthusiasts paying close attention to cooling, motherboards, and power delivery.
According to the leak, the figures are tied to dual-compute-tile Nova Lake-S K-series SKUs that reportedly scale up to 52 cores. The headline values are striking: PL1 at 150W, PL2 at 496W, PL3 at 498W, and an eye-watering PL4 at 854W. In practical terms, that would position Nova Lake-S as far more demanding than recent Intel flagships when boost behavior kicks in.
For comparison, Intel’s Arrow Lake Core Ultra 9 285K is commonly cited with a 125W PL1 and a 250W PL2. Even the famously power-hungry 14th-gen Core i9-14900K—known for aggressive boosting and high energy draw—lands in that same general PL1/PL2 range as the Core Ultra 9 285K. If the leaked Nova Lake-S limits are representative of shipping products, Intel’s next desktop lineup could be entering a very different power class.
Not everyone agrees the leak tells the full story, though. Another leaker, Jaykihn, has disputed HXL’s interpretation, suggesting the posted power limits are “outdated.” Jaykihn also claims the figures may not belong to a 52-core Core Ultra 9 flagship at all. Instead, the numbers could be tied to a 42-core Core Ultra 7 Nova Lake SKU, reportedly configured with 14 performance cores (P-cores), 24 efficiency cores (E-cores), and 4 low-power efficiency cores (LP E-cores).
If that pushback is correct, it opens the door to a more nuanced outcome: Intel may have revised Nova Lake power targets over time, and the eventual retail limits—especially for mainstream high-end models—could end up closer to what desktop buyers have come to expect from Arrow Lake-era behavior. Either way, it highlights a familiar reality with pre-launch CPU rumors: the same leaked table can look “terrifying” or merely “placeholder” depending on which internal revision it reflects.
For now, Nova Lake remains months away from anything official, so treat these power numbers as tentative. Still, the discussion is worth watching. If Intel’s Nova Lake-S desktop CPUs do arrive with significantly higher PL2/PL4 limits, buyers can expect a renewed focus on robust cooling solutions, strong motherboard VRMs, and power supplies that can comfortably handle short boost spikes alongside high sustained loads.
