What the leak actually shows
The highest result attributed to a 28-core Nova Lake-S processor reaches 5,210 points in the single-thread test, followed by another submission scoring 5,191 points. VideoCardz found the entries in PassMark PerformanceTest 11.1. ComputerBase, reporting on October 27, said some listings are 28-core samples with reported boost clocks of up to 4.8 GHz, and others are eight-core variants.
ComputerBase's single-thread comparison used these figures:
| Processor | Turbo used | ST score | Points per GHz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Lake 28-core sample | 4.80 GHz | 5,210 | 1,085 |
| Core Ultra 9 285K | 5.38 GHz | 5,059 | 940 |
| Ryzen 9 9950X3D | 5.7 GHz | 4,805 | 843 |
| Ryzen 7 9850X3D | 5.6 GHz | 4,707 | 841 |
| Core i9-14900KF | 5.68 GHz | 4,635 | 816 |
The 5,210 result leads the 285K by about 3%. The points-per-GHz column was calculated by ComputerBase's editors. It is a rough comparison, not a measured IPC figure. It assumes the 4.8 GHz reading is accurate. For the Ryzen chips, it uses AMD's maximum turbo spec, which ComputerBase says puts them at a disadvantage.
The multi-thread picture is less flattering
The same 28-core sample scored 61,509 points in the overall CPU Mark test, with another submission reaching 60,964. That compares with 67,274 for the 285K and 72,066 for the 9950X3D. ComputerBase put it slightly ahead of the Core i9-14900KF but well behind the 285K and the 9950X3D.
ComputerBase offers two possible explanations. The sample may be running at very low clocks under multi-core load, or the software may be mistuned for it. Neither is confirmed.
Why you shouldn't read too much into it
- Pre-production hardware. These are early samples, not retail chips. Firmware, power limits and real operating clocks are unknown.
- Uncontrolled comparisons. The entries are database submissions from different systems, not a controlled test on matched platforms.
- One synthetic test. PassMark single-thread does not isolate IPC. It also says nothing about gaming, content creation or power efficiency.
- Inconsistent eight-core results. One eight-core entry with a 4.8 GHz turbo narrowly beat the 285K. The other eight-core entries landed far behind. ComputerBase suggests their turbo clocks were much lower.
Platform context: what's confirmed and what isn't
The NoobFeed piece mixes confirmed details with rumors. Tom's Hardware reported seeing the LGA 1954 socket at Computex 2026. It is the same size as LGA 1851, 45 mm x 37.5 mm, and keeps compatibility with existing coolers, which they confirmed at Computex. That is a physical observation.
Several other claims are rumor or unconfirmed.
- Launch timing. Intel's CEO said Nova Lake is coming at the end of 2026. Vendors told Tom's Hardware to expect a public launch at CES 2027 and retail availability in Q1. Tom's Hardware says none of this is confirmed by Intel.
- Core counts. Tom's Hardware heard that a 28-core flagship comes first, with a 52-core model later in 2027. It calls this likely but unconfirmed.
- bLLC cache. Tom's Hardware treats the large-cache design as a long-running rumor. It says Intel has not confirmed it. ComputerBase's SKU table, including the 144 MB L3 on the rumored Core Ultra 9 4970K BFC, is also unofficial.
- Power. Tom's Hardware was told the 52-core part has a PL1 of 175 W and a PL4 of up to 700 W. It also stresses that high-end motherboard power delivery shows how far the platform can scale, not what the chips will draw.
- Upgrade longevity. NoobFeed says the socket is committed to multiple generations. That is not backed by anything Intel has confirmed in the material reviewed here.
NoobFeed's comparisons with AMD's Zen 6 are also unverified. Tom's Hardware says it has little concrete information on Zen 6 desktop parts. Those comparisons are projections, not measurements.
What PC builders should do
- Treat 5,210 as a hint. It suggests per-core performance may improve, but nothing more.
- Don't hold off a needed upgrade yet. Retail availability is still reportedly months away.
- Wait for independent reviews. Look for disclosed memory, firmware and power limits, and for repeatable gaming and application tests.
- Check cooler and motherboard plans. Tom's Hardware confirmed cooler compatibility, but you will need a new LGA 1954 board.
Bottom line
The leak shows promising single-thread numbers and weaker multi-thread numbers, from an engineering sample in a public database. That is worth following, but it does not predict how the retail chip will perform.