Production has officially begun for Nova Lake-S, Intel’s new entry into the desktop processor market. The processors, scheduled for release in the third quarter of 2026, have completed the tape-out phase using TSMC’s 2-nanometer (N2) process technology. This development indicates that the processors are now physically manufactured and have begun testing.

The Intel Nova Lake-S series is here

The Nova Lake architecture is based on a hybrid manufacturing model where Intel utilizes both its own production infrastructure and external resources simultaneously. The company utilizes its own 18A process for certain processor components, while relying on TSMC’s N2 node for high-volume production capacity. This approach is considered a result of Intel’s efforts to provide additional assurance against potential delays in the 18A process.

The testing phase, which began after tape-out, is expected to be completed within a few weeks to a month. Following these tests, mass production will begin. Intel plans to deliver the processors to end users in the third quarter of 2026. These developments indicate a critical threshold for the timely release of the Nova Lake-S family.

According to previously leaked technical data, the Nova Lake-S processors feature a total of 52 cores. 16 of these cores are designed for performance, 32 for efficiency, and 4 for low power consumption. The series features a memory controller running at 8800 MT/s, and utilizes the Xe3 “Celestial” architecture for graphics tasks and the Xe4 “Druid” architecture for media and image processing tasks.

The new processors arrive as Intel aims to regain momentum in the desktop segment. Nova Lake-S stands out as one of Intel’s most complex and comprehensive processor projects in recent years, in terms of performance, efficiency, and manufacturing strategies.