Intel Nova Lake CPUs and MacBook Pro hardware updates

Rumored specifications for Intel’s upcoming Nova Lake CPU generation suggest the company is developing a direct competitor to AMD’s X3D chips. Leaked details indicate several models will feature ‘BFC’ chips with ‘big last-level cache’ (bLLC). Unlike AMD’s 3D V-Cache, which is stacked on top of or underneath the die, Intel’s bLLC is reportedly built directly into the die.

The rumored lineup includes Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC, Core Ultra 7 4870K BFC, and a lower-power Core Ultra 9 4900 BFC with a 65W TDP. These high-cache models are expected to target gaming performance, where large amounts of cache are highly beneficial.

In consumer hardware news, Amazon is offering a significant discount on the 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro. The device, featuring 24GB of memory and a 1TB SSD, has been reduced from $2,499 to $2,049, representing a saving of over $400.