Intel’s Next-Gen CPUs Pack Up to 52 Cores

Desktop PCs could see a major performance boost.

The brains of computers, central processing units, are constantly evolving. Rumors suggest that **Intel** is developing next-generation desktop CPUs with a surprisingly high core count, potentially revitalizing the desktop PC market.

Impressive Core Count

**Intel** is currently releasing its high-performance Core Ultra Processor series. While the second generation, Series 2, is available now, a Series 3, or third-generation, is in development for desktops. Leaks suggest a lineup of seven SKUs, from the Core Ultra 3 Processor to the high-end Core Ultra 9 Processor, codenamed Nova Lake-S.

What’s particularly striking is the core count of the top-tier Core Ultra 9: it may feature a configuration with 52 cores. These specs are similar to workstation Xeon processors, dwarfing even high-end current desktop CPUs, which typically have 16 to 24 cores.

Desktop PCs Get a Boost?

The Core Ultra 9 processor, slated for release next year, aims to deliver more than just a high core count. Of those 52 cores, 16 will be performance-focused P-cores, 32 will prioritize efficiency as E-cores, and the remaining 4 will be low-power LPE cores.

The inclusion of LPE cores, originally introduced in the Core Ultra processor (Meteor Lake) for mobile devices, could be a defining feature of this desktop CPU, emphasizing energy efficiency alongside performance. In fact, energy efficiency is becoming more important to consumers, with 73% willing to pay more for sustainable products according to a recent study (PWC 2022).

These next-generation desktop CPUs boast impressive specs, combining high performance with energy savings. Desktops once catered to DIY enthusiasts. Now, faced with the versatility of laptops for AI and gaming, this processor generation may give new life to the desktop PC.

New Motherboard Required

Rumors point to the adoption of a completely new socket, the ｢LGA1954｣. Installing a Series 3 desktop CPU will likely necessitate replacing the motherboard.

The year 2026 could mark a significant refresh for the desktop PC.