Intel is gearing up to integrate its cutting-edge 6th-generation Neural Processing Unit (NPU) into the upcoming Nova Lake processor family. This leap forward promises to elevate AI performance to new heights, keeping Intel at the forefront of the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
The revelation comes from a recent Linux Kernel patch, which confirms that Nova Lake will feature the NPU6 architecture—a full generation ahead of the NPU5 slated for Panther Lake processors. Unlike Panther Lake’s NPU5, which delivers up to 50 AI TOPS (trillions of operations per second) for enhanced AI workloads, Nova Lake’s NPU6 is designed to push boundaries further, enabling even more robust AI capabilities in consumer and professional systems. Early details indicate Nova Lake could boast configurations with up to 28 CPU cores, including 8 performance cores (P-cores), 16 efficiency cores (E-cores), and 4 low-power cores (LP-cores), paired with 12 Xe3 GPU cores for integrated graphics. This setup positions Nova Lake as a successor to current offerings like Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake, with an expected launch in 2026.
Diving deeper, the Linux kernel patch—comprising just 15 lines of code—adds support for the NPU6 by introducing a new PCI device ID in the 60xx series and a dedicated firmware blob named pu_60xx_v1.bin. This minimalistic update maintains compatibility with previous NPU generations while paving the way for potential feature enhancements. Intel’s strategy here reflects a consistent push toward AI optimization: For instance, the Lunar Lake series introduced NPU4 shortly after Arrow Lake’s NPU3, and Panther Lake is set to roll out NPU5 with its 50 TOPS benchmark. Amidst this, Intel reports strong demand for its existing Raptor Lake chips, which has even driven up CPU prices in recent months.
Source: Phoronix