Intel is on a significant turnaround path that could see it reclaim its status as a leader in desktop CPUs with the forthcoming Nova Lake architecture, which is set to launch in late 2026. Rumored to feature as many as 52 cores, the performance leap may help overcome challenges posed by competitors like AMD.

According to John Pitzer, Intel’s Corporate Vice President of Corporate Planning & Investor Relations, “as Nova Lake comes out at the end of next year into 2027, I think we’re going to have a leadership position across the board on desktop.”

This confidence stems from Intel’s shift to a new 18A manufacturing process, which is crucial for improving profit margins. Pitzer noted that achieving substantial wafer production on this node is vital for Intel, especially as they’re looking to cut costs by bringing more production in-house rather than relying on external foundries like TSMC for their chips.

The success of Nova Lake will potentially be pivotal for Intel, impacting their competitiveness in both the mobile and desktop markets, making it essential for the company to deliver on their promise of superior performance.