Intel Core Ultra 4000 Nova Lake-S lineup leaks, Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC appears above 4950K

The BFC Designation: Larger Cache for High-End Models

According to the leaked list reported by VideoCardz, several models will feature a BFC suffix. This is widely interpreted as Big Last Level Cache, aligning with previous rumors about Nova Lake processors equipped with significantly expanded cache capacities (up to 144MB in some reports). These BFC models are positioned higher in the hierarchy than their standard counterparts.

The standout model is the Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC. It features a 28-core configuration consisting of 8 P-Cores, 16 E-Cores, and 4 LP-E cores (Low-Power Efficiency cores). This places it above the previously seen Core Ultra 9 4950K engineering sample, which features 24 cores and lacks the BFC cache enhancement. Both high-end models are expected to operate at a 125W TDP.

Key details from the leaked SKU list include:

• Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC: 28 cores (8P + 16E + 4LP-E), 125W, vPro support, expanded cache.
• Core Ultra 9 4950K: 24 cores (8P + 16E + 4LP-E), 125W.
• Core Ultra 7 4870K BFC: 24 cores (8P + 12E + 4LP-E), 125W, expanded cache.
• Core Ultra 5 4650KF: 18 cores (6P + 12E + 4LP-E), 125W, no integrated graphics.

LGA 1954 and the 900-Series Chipset

The Nova Lake-S architecture is expected to move to the new LGA 1954 socket, paired with 900-series desktop chipsets. All leaked models appear to include an integrated GPU with 32 execution units (EU), maintaining consistency with current Intel desktop offerings.

While these identifiers remain unofficial, the specific core counts and the presence of LP-E cores align closely with earlier roadmap leaks, suggesting that the 28-core configuration may indeed be the flagship for the initial Nova Lake-S launch.