Intel's upcoming Nova Lake-S desktop CPU family may abandon the current three-digit naming convention in favor of a four-digit format, according to a leaked CPU-Z submission. The Intel Core Ultra 9 4950K, identified as a 28-core chip, features 8 Coyote Cove P-Cores, 16 Arctic Wolf E-Cores, and 4 LPE-Cores. Tested on an unknown Z990 overclocking platform, it scored over 1,000 points in single-core and exceeded 20,000 points in multicore CPU-Z rankings, surpassing all current consumer desktop processors.

While the naming scheme remains unconfirmed, leakers like Golden Pig Upgrade and Gotou_3rd suggest a four-digit format could be necessary given the wide range of SKUs and configurations Intel is reportedly testing. Recent sightings include a 24-core model at 3.4 GHz and a 28-core model at 3.2 GHz, both supporting AVX-512 and APX instructions.

Qualification samples for Nova Lake-S have not yet shipped but are expected in the coming weeks. Intel plans to launch the 28-core Nova Lake-S DS variant in Q1 2027, with K-series SKUs targeted for early Q2 (March-April), and a 52-core flagship expected in late May.