On April 13, 2026, it was officially announced that Intel's upcoming full-platform CPU, Nova Lake, will be branded as the "Series 4"—also known as the Core Ultra 4 series or, more specifically, the Core Ultra 400 series. This processor is slated to commence mass production in the fourth quarter of 2026. It will boast a configuration of 1 to 2 compute chiplets, incorporate up to 2 Xe3 core GPUs (with certain models eschewing integrated graphics altogether), and house the 6th generation NPU 6 AI engine.

In terms of compatibility, the Nova Lake processor will work seamlessly with existing FCLGA1700/FCLGA1851 coolers, thanks to its adoption of the LGA1954 package interface, which also ensures forward compatibility. When it comes to expandability, this processor is no slouch. It supports 2-channel DDR5-8000 memory, offers a generous 24 direct PCIe Gen5 lanes along with an additional 12 PCH-connected PCIe Gen5 lanes, and is equipped with 2 Thunderbolt 5 ports. Moreover, it integrates cutting-edge technologies such as Wi-Fi 7, LE Audio, and Wi-Fi-based sensing technology, and even supports quad-video output.

Intel has outlined plans for five distinct CPU solutions within this series. The single-compute-chiplet models will span a power consumption range of 35 to 125W, while the dual-compute-chiplet models will have a base power consumption of 175W. In total, 13 specific SKU models are on the horizon, covering the Core Ultra 3/5/7/9 series. Notably, the top-tier 52/44-core models might even be categorized under the Core X series (or alternatively, the Core Ultra X series), marking a significant leap in performance and versatility.