According to SemiAccurate, Nova Lake has entered early fabrication in Taiwan using TSMC’s advanced node. Details are thin, with SemiAccurate saying, “Intel taped out a major product a few weeks ago, a little late but they got there… Sorry, no hints this time.”

That statement pretty much confirms the hybrid approach. Nova Lake is expected to mix TSMC’s N2 process with Intel’s elusive 18A node. Whether this is because Chipzilla doesn’t trust 18A, or simply wants a manufacturing safety net, is anyone’s guess. Either way, it’s a tacit admission that the company still needs outside help to stay competitive.

The timeline doesn’t look great. Taping out now means these CPUs are at least a year away, and given Intel’s notorious delays, we’re likely looking at a late 2026 retail release. The 18A node was supposed to herald a glorious return to process leadership, but so far it’s been a long string of excuses and moving goalposts.

Performance claims sound promising. Apparently it has up to 25 per cent faster processing, 36 per cent better efficiency, and more than double the core count compared to Arrow Lake. Rumours even suggest 52-core consumer chips in some segments, which would be a huge leap for Chipzilla.

That’s all talk until real silicon ships. Intel has been hyping the 18A process for years, but with Nova Lake still relying partly on TSMC, it’s clear the company isn’t betting the farm on its own fabs just yet.

So yes, a taped-out CPU is progress, but it highlights Intel’s fragile position. If the 18A node slips again, Nova Lake risks becoming yet another late arrival in a market that won’t wait.