Intel's High-End Core Ultra Series CPUs might potentially match AMD's V-Cache performance, with Nova Lake's impressive 144MB L3 Cache capacity.
Intel's forthcoming Core Ultra (Core 400 series, likely branded as Nova Lake) CPUs are set to make a significant leap in cache technology, introducing a big Last Level Cache (bLLC) with a capacity of 144 MB of L3 cache. This bLLC is designed to compete directly with AMD's 3D V-Cache technology found in Ryzen X3D processors.
Comparing Capacities
The capacity comparison between Intel's bLLC and AMD's 3D V-Cache is as follows:
- Intel's bLLC: up to 144 MB L3 cache total.
- AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D (multi-CCD with 3D V-Cache): about 128 MB total L3 cache.
- AMD's Ryzen 7 9800X3D: about 96 MB total L3 cache.
- AMD's upcoming Zen 6 3D V-Cache chips are rumoured to scale up to 144 MB per CCD with a possible future double stack at 240 MB.
Function of bLLC
The function of Intel's bLLC is similar to AMD's 3D V-Cache in that it acts as a large, separate block of last-level cache that supplements the on-core L3 cache to improve data access latency and bandwidth, crucial for gaming and other cache-sensitive applications. However, Intel appears to be implementing bLLC either horizontally (as a separate tile connected through the interconnect) or mounted above or below the cores, rather than using vertical stacking as AMD does with 3D V-Cache. This may help Intel avoid some thermal and manufacturing challenges associated with 3D die stacking.
Hybrid Core Configuration and New Socket
The next Core Ultra series is rumoured to come with a hybrid core configuration. The only core configuration rumoured to come with the bLLC features eight P-cores, 16 E-cores, and four LPE-cores. The new architecture will supposedly take advantage of the LGA 1954 socket.
Nova Lake may require a new socket, forcing customers to change motherboards if they want to upgrade. However, the new LGA 1954 socket will reportedly retain the same form factor as the LGA 1851 socket.
Challenging AMD for the Gaming Performance Crown
The larger cache capacity and the introduction of LPE cores for the first time ever on desktop in Nova Lake offer an opportunity for Intel to challenge AMD for the gaming performance crown. The flagship model of Nova Lake, if it includes bLLC, could potentially be a game changer in the market.
[1] Intel to Introduce Larger L3 Cache for Next-Gen Core Ultra Series CPUs [2] Intel's Next-Gen Core Ultra Series to Feature bLLC, Competing with AMD's 3D V-Cache [3] Nova Lake: Intel's Next-Gen Core Ultra Series Rumoured to Feature bLLC and Hybrid Core Configuration [4] Nova Lake's bLLC: A Closer Look at Intel's Approach to Regain Leadership in Gaming Performance
The upcoming Intel Core Ultra series, featuring the big Last Level Cache (bLLC), aims to rival data-and-cloud-computing giant AMD's 3D V-Cache technology with a capacity of up to 144 MB L3 cache, similar to what AMD offers in its Ryzen 9 9950X3D multi-CCD processors. Furthermore, the bLLC technology is designed with gadgets in mind, targeting improvements in data access latency and bandwidth, essential for gaming and other cache-sensitive applications.
