Intel's dual-tile Nova Lake-S CPUs reportedly carry a 474W PL2 target, according to leaked Z990 power guidance

Intel's upcoming Nova Lake desktop platform is shaping up to be a serious power draw. According to leaker LC Tech Leaks, backed by well-known Intel leaker Jaykihn, Intel has revised its Z990 power design guidance, with a PL2 target of 474W reserved for nominal performance on dual-compute-tile Nova Lake-S CPUs. Anything exceeding 474W would apply specifically to overclocking scenarios on dual-die configurations.

For context, PL2 refers to the maximum power a CPU can draw during short burst workloads before throttling back to its sustained PL1 limit. A 474W PL2 figure is unprecedented for a consumer Intel desktop platform, territory typically associated with high-end desktop workstation designs. Given that the flagship Nova Lake-S dual compute tile configuration packs up to 52 cores, the number is aggressive but not entirely surprising.

The revised power guidance has also prompted discussion around a third 8-pin EPS CPU power connector appearing on some Z990 motherboards. Most current enthusiast boards ship with two EPS connectors, so adding a third raised questions about whether it was required for full performance with the 52-core chip.

Jaykihn clarified that three connectors are a vendor choice and do not unlock a higher power state for the 52-core configuration. Some Z990 175W Performance boards will ship with three connectors, while others will keep two, and this does not affect the CPU's performance profile. Z970 boards are not expected to use three connectors.

Motherboards are being segmented into power classes, including 35W, 65W, 125W, and 175W tiers. CPUs installed in boards rated below their PL1 will run at a lower performance profile by default, which becomes relevant when running dual-tile chips on lower-tier boards. All Z990 boards are expected to be rated at 175W and ready for both 44-core and 52-core configurations.

Intel has not confirmed any of these figures, and the current power specifications remain subject to change ahead of the Nova Lake launch.