Intel's upcoming Core Ultra 4000 "Nova Lake-S" desktop processors will reportedly cap their maximum core frequency at 5.1 GHz whenever they run above 90°C, according to Intel leaker Jaykihn on X. The limit applies to the entire Nova Lake-S desktop lineup and works separately from regular TjMax throttling at 100°C, though the information remains preliminary. Below 90°C, the chips should presumably boost as usual, and models that do not exceed 5.1 GHz would be unaffected.
Final clock speeds are not yet official. The current Core Ultra 9 285K already boosts up to 5.7 GHz, meaning a hot-running Nova Lake high-end chip could lose a sizable chunk of peak frequency. A 100°C TjMax is lower than Arrow Lake's 105°C, which can be manually raised to 115°C.
This puts more weight on cooling, especially since the 28-core Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC was reportedly set to pull up to 296 W at PL2 despite its 125 W rating. Staying under 90°C at that power draw will likely require a capable cooler. Nova Lake-S is expected to arrive in Q1 2027, and Intel has not confirmed these details yet.
Source: TechPowerUp News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing