Intel allegedly readying Nova Lake-AX mobile processors for gaming - Intels advanced APU, boasting high performance, aiming to compete with AMD's Strix Halo
Intel's **Nova Lake-AX mobile chip**, scheduled for a launch in 2026-27, is poised to be a flagship APU designed to directly compete with AMD's Strix Halo APUs [1][3][5].
### Expected Specifications and Architecture
The Nova Lake-AX is reported to feature a heterogeneous architecture, likely combining **Coyote Cove** P-cores (performance cores) and **Arctic Wolf** E-cores (efficiency cores), stacked using Intel's second-generation Foveros 3D packaging technology [1][5]. It may have up to 52 cores, with two compute tiles, each featuring 8 P-cores and 16 E-cores.
Intel plans to significantly upgrade the integrated GPU to compete with AMD’s RDNA 3.5-based graphics found in Strix Halo. A plausible configuration is a **20 Xe cores GPU based on the Celestial architecture**, which should provide a strong iGPU performance boost [1][3][5].
To rival the Strix Halo's massive memory bandwidth, Intel is likely to adopt **LPDDR6 memory**, leveraging recent JEDEC certification, offering a competitive bandwidth and power efficiency advantage [1][3].
Due to the high core count and GPU capabilities, the chip's power envelope is expected to be at least **100+ Watts**, consistent with its segment as a high-performance mobile product [1].
### Performance Expectations Compared to AMD's Strix Halo
The Strix Halo APU currently stands out by offering up to **128 GB of memory**, a **40 Compute Unit (CU) RDNA 3.5 integrated GPU**, and a balance of raw CPU and GPU performance optimized for enthusiast and gaming laptops.
Intel's Nova Lake-AX will need to match or surpass this, thus the larger CPU core count (up to 52 cores vs. AMD's configuration) and a sizable Xe3 GPU indicate Intel’s ambition to compete aggressively in both CPU and GPU domains.
Intel’s adoption of LPDDR6 memory and advanced packaging technologies (Foveros) may provide advantages in power efficiency and integration density over AMD's current offerings.
However, specific performance benchmarks and efficiency metrics are not yet available, so while Intel’s architectural details suggest a strong competitor, actual performance head-to-head results will only be known after launch.
### Summary Table
| Specification | Intel Nova Lake-AX | AMD Strix Halo | |-----------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | CPU Cores | Up to 52 cores (mix of P-cores and E-cores) | High-performance CPU cores, exact count varies | | GPU | ~20 Xe cores (Celestial architecture) | 40 CU RDNA 3.5 iGPU | | Memory Support | Likely LPDDR6, high bandwidth | Up to 128 GB, 256-bit, RDNA 3.5 | | Power (TDP) | 100+ Watts | High TDP for mobile flagship APUs | | Packaging | 2nd-gen Foveros 3D stacking | Monolithic or multi-chip designs | | Launch | 2026-27 | Currently available |
Intel's Nova Lake-AX appears to be a highly competitive, enthusiast-class APU aimed to challenge AMD's flagship mobile APUs like the Strix Halo by offering more CPU cores, a powerful GPU, and cutting-edge memory support, with a launch anticipated in 2026-27 [1][3][5].
- The Nova Lake-AX, boasting artificial-intelligence integrated within its architecture, aims to push the boundaries of technology, with its powerful GPU based on the Celestial architecture featuring up to 20 Xe cores.
- To further enhance its performance, Intel plans to employ gadgets such as LPDDR6 memory, ensuring a competitive edge in power efficiency and integration density when competing against the Strix Halo APUs, scheduled for 2026-27.
