Leaked Intel Nova Lake CPU Beats Competitors in Single-Thread Testing

A leaked 28-core Intel Nova Lake desktop processor has outperformed both the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D in early single-thread benchmark testing, according to hardware details circulating online.

The test results appeared in PerformanceTest 11.1 baselines under the name "Intel 0000". The fastest 28-core sample reached 5,210 points in the single-thread test, while a second sample scored 5,191. For comparison, the Core Ultra 9 285K scored 5,059 points, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D scored 4,805 points, and Intel's older Core i9-14900KF scored 4,635 points. Those scores give the Nova Lake sample leads of roughly 3%, 8.4%, and 12.4% over those chips.

Despite the strong single-thread scores, the processor's overall CPU Mark result was lower at 61,509 points. That total trails the 285K's 67,274 points and the 9950X3D's 72,066 points, though it still exceeds the 14900KF score of 58,074. The benchmark screenshot also lists approximately 16 gigabytes of RAM, a base CPU speed around 3.3 gigahertz, and turbo speeds near 4.8 gigahertz for both 28-core entries.

These figures come from unverified pre-release samples, and unknown test conditions or unfinished hardware and firmware mean they may not reflect final retail performance. When the processor family arrives, it is expected to require new LGA 1954 motherboards and 900-series chipsets. Intel has committed to launching the Nova Lake lineup by the end of 2026, with industry expectations pointing toward an unveiling at CES 2027.

Summary

Early benchmark leaks offer a first look at Intel's upcoming Nova Lake desktop architecture. Because the hardware and software are still unfinished, these preliminary scores cannot guarantee how the final retail processors will perform against current competition.