{"id":77027,"date":"2026-08-19T22:52:29","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T02:52:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/?p=77027"},"modified":"2026-08-19T22:52:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T02:52:29","slug":"core-ultra-9-4950k-leak-77027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/core-ultra-9-4950k-leak-77027\/","title":{"rendered":"Intel Core Ultra 9 4950K Leak Reveals 28 Cores in First Benchmark"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intel<\/a> is preparing for a fundamental shift in its desktop processor lineup, moving beyond the established three-digit branding to a four-digit system, and the first<\/a> alleged benchmark of the<\/a> flagship model, the Core Ultra 9 4950K, suggests the company is aiming decisively for the performance crown. A leak from the hardware enthusiast community, specifically via LC Tech Leaks on X (formerly Twitter), has revealed an engineering sample of this next-generation Nova Lake-S CPU undergoing testing on an unreleased Z990 chipset motherboard. The results point to a processor that not only introduces a new naming convention but also delivers the kind of multi-threaded performance that could reshape the high-end desktop landscape when it arrives.<\/p>\n

The chip in question, a 28-core behemoth, achieved a single-core score of approximately 1,000 points and a multi-core score of roughly 20,000 points in the CPU-Z benchmark. To put that into perspective, this multi-core figure is about 16% higher than the roughly 17,300 points recorded by AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, a current powerhouse. These early numbers are significant because they come from an engineering sample, which typically operates at lower clock speeds and with unoptimized firmware. Intel\u2019s shift to a four-digit branding scheme\u2014dropping \u201cCore Ultra 400\u201d in favor of \u201cCore Ultra 4000\u201d\u2014is a major strategic move, and the 4950K appears to be the first flagship to carry that banner.<\/p>\n

Intel\u2019s Four-Digit Rebranding: From Core Ultra 400 to Core Ultra 4000<\/h2>\n

The most important change signaled by this leak is the transition to a four-digit model number. For years, Intel has used a three-digit system (e.g., Core i7-14700K, Core Ultra 9 285K). The Nova Lake-S family, the direct successor to Panther Lake (sold as the Core Ultra Series 3), was initially expected to be the Core Ultra 400 series. Leaked details now consistently point to the Core Ultra 4000 series<\/strong>. This aligns the branding more closely with AMD\u2019s Ryzen naming scheme, which has long used four digits to denote generation and performance tier (e.g., Ryzen 9 7950X, Ryzen 7 9800X3D).<\/p>\n

Multiple sources have corroborated this change. The well-known Intel-focused leaker Gotou_3rd stated on X that while the precise final name may not be set in stone\u2014Nova Lake-S qualification samples have not yet begun shipping\u2014the transition to a four-digit reference is real. Another prominent leaker, Golden Pig Upgrade, has also indicated that the Core Ultra 4000HX naming standard will apply to mobile laptop models, suggesting a broad, company-wide rebranding effort. For consumers, this means that the next time you shop for a high-end desktop CPU, you will be looking at numbers like 4950K rather than 285K, a change that Intel hopes will clarify generational leaps and simplify product comparisons.<\/p>\n

Core Ultra 9 4950K: 28 Cores and a Major Performance Leap<\/h2>\n

The leaked benchmark for the Core Ultra 9 4950K reveals a 28-core configuration, but the breakdown is particularly interesting. The chip features 8 high-performance cores (P-Cores) and 20 efficient cores (E-Cores). This represents a significant increase in total core count compared to current top-tier processors like the Core i9-14900K (24 cores) and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 (16 cores). The core count alone is impressive, but the benchmark results suggest it translates into real-world performance gains.<\/p>\n

In the CPU-Z benchmark, the 4950K scored around 1,000 points in single-threaded tests and 20,000 points in multi-threaded tests. The multi-threaded score is the headline figure. It places the Core Ultra 9 4950K roughly 16% ahead of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, a processor that itself is a leader in multi-threaded workloads. This leap is critical because multi-threaded performance is the dominant factor in rendering, video encoding, scientific simulations, and heavy multitasking. The 28-core count also suggests that Intel is taking a different approach to core scaling, prioritizing raw thread capacity to compete directly with AMD\u2019s higher-core-count offerings.<\/p>\n

It is important to note that this is an early engineering sample. We do not know the exact clock speeds, power draw, or thermal characteristics of this chip. CPU-Z scores, while useful for comparison, do not capture the full picture of gaming performance, which often relies on single-core speed and memory latency. However, the raw data is strong enough to signal that Intel intends to retake the lead in performance-per-watt and raw multi-threaded power.<\/p>\n

What is the Intel Nova Lake Architecture?<\/h2>\n

Nova Lake is the codename for Intel\u2019s next-generation processor architecture, designed to succeed the Panther Lake series (which launched in 2025). It is built on a completely new underlying design, not a refresh. The architecture is expected to introduce a new core microarchitecture (codenamed Coyote Cove for P-cores and Arctic Wolf for E-cores), a revised memory controller, and potentially a new socket.<\/p>\n

The leaked motherboard uses the Intel Z990 chipset, which is believed to be part of the new LGA 1954 socket platform. This is a significant departure from the existing LGA 1700 and LGA 1851 sockets, meaning that upgrading to a Nova Lake processor will require a new motherboard. Intel will use this platform to enable support for faster memory (likely DDR5-8000+), more PCIe 5.0 lanes, and enhanced connectivity. The move to a new socket is a double-edged sword: it allows for more performance and features, but it also forces users to purchase a new board, a hurdle for upgraders.<\/p>\n

Why Intel Is Accelerating Nova Lake\u2019s Launch<\/h2>\n

Intel\u2019s urgency with Nova Lake is directly tied to the competitive landscape. In a January 2026 statement, Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan explicitly stated that the company must accelerate Nova Lake to regain ground in the high-end desktop segment. This urgency is driven by AMD\u2019s upcoming launch of its Zen 6 architecture, which is expected to power both desktop and server processors. Intel is aware that AMD will continue to push core counts and efficiency, and the Core Ultra 4000 series is Intel\u2019s answer to that challenge.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe company must accelerate Nova Lake to regain ground in the high-end desktop segment,\u201d Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan has stated. This direct quote underscores the seriousness of Intel\u2019s position. The recent launch of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 has proven that AMD\u2019s 3D V-Cache technology provides a significant gaming advantage, and Intel needs to respond. By pushing forward with a 28-core flagship and a new platform, Intel hopes to win back enthusiasts and professionals who have recently favored AMD.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Intel\u2019s Software Development Emulator (SDE) included functionality for emulating Nova Lake CPUs as early as January 2016, a fact that highlights the long development timeline of these processors. The company has been working on this architecture for years, and the current leaks are the first concrete signs of its arrival in the lab.<\/p>\n

Nova Lake-S Core Configurations: A 52-Core Monster in the Works<\/h2>\n

The 28-core Core Ultra 9 4950K is not the end of the story<\/a>. According to previously reported roadmaps, the 28-core configuration is just the first step. Intel is planning a much more ambitious 52-core model, which would be based on two compute tiles. This dual-tile design would allow Intel to scale core counts dramatically without increasing the complexity of a single monolithic die.<\/p>\n

The core count roadmap, based on leaked data, looks like this:<\/p>\n