HP EliteBook X G3i Leaked with Intel Nova Lake CPU

The HP EliteBook X G3i, an unreleased 14-inch notebook detected by the SiSoftware benchmark database, is presumed to be the first laptop powered by an Intel Nova Lake CPU, succeeding the Panther Lake-based EliteBook X G2i. Manufactured by HP, this device belongs to the professional mobile workstation category and represents an early engineering sample that reveals the architectural shift expected with Intel's next-generation desktop-derived processor line.

Key Facts

The HP EliteBook X G3i, as listed in the SiSoftware database, identifies a motherboard model "HP 8FF4" and a processor registered only as "Intel® 0000," a designation typical for engineering samples lacking an official Core Ultra name.

What Was Leaked on SiSoftware?

The SiSoftware entry describes a 20-core CPU with a 4.6GHz boost clock and 18MB L3 cache, identifying the system as an "HP EliteBook X G3i 14 inch Notebook AI PC" on motherboard "HP 8FF4." The processor is listed generically as "Intel® 0000" without a specific model number. This registry entry, initially shared by hardware leaker @momomo_us on X (formerly Twitter), provides the first concrete evidence of a Nova Lake processor appearing in a laptop form factor.

The discovery is notable because Nova Lake is primarily designated and expected to target the desktop PC segment first. However, as the source material notes, Intel has previously deployed desktop architectures into mobile platforms, such as the current Arrow Lake architecture, which appears in both desktop processors and high-end gaming laptops bearing the HX designation.

SiSoftware
HP EliteBook X G3i 14 inch Notebook AI PC 103C_5336AN HP EliteBook (HP 8FF4)
2x Genuine Intel(R) 0000 (5M 20c 3GHz/4.6GHz + 3GHz, 2x 4MB + 2x 4MB L2, 18MB L3)

— 188号 (@momomo_us) via X, September 17, 2026

The leak's primary value is confirming that Intel is testing Nova Lake silicon in a mobile context ahead of the architecture's expected desktop debut.

Nova Lake Specifications and Cache Configuration

The SiSoftware database lists a 20-core CPU with a boost clock of 4.6GHz, 18MB L3 cache, and four distinct 4MB L2 cache blocks for the HP EliteBook X G3i's processor. The presence of these four separate 4MB L2 cache blocks is a significant architectural clue, as these blocks are not present within the current Panther Lake CPU architecture. It is possible, according to the source, that these 4MB L2 blocks are shared by the Coyote-Cove P-Cores expected to ship with Nova Lake.

The "Intel® 0000" designation confirms this is an engineering sample without an official name, such as the Core Ultra X7 or X9 series. Specific details regarding the GPU, memory support, and total power draw remain unknown based on the available source data.

The cache configuration strongly suggests an architecture that diverges from Panther Lake, aligning with the expected Coyote-Cove core design for Nova Lake.

Launch Timeline and Pricing Context

There is still no official word on Nova Lake's launch date, only estimates, with Intel expected to enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2026 and release the platform in the first quarter of 2027.

This timeline aligns with a widely reported price increase for Intel CPUs. Intel is expected to raise CPU prices by as much as 10% by March of the following year, a hike that coincides with the anticipated Nova Lake release window. The leak of the HP EliteBook X G3i in September 2026 suggests that laptop implementations of Nova Lake are already being validated in engineering samples prior to the main launch period.

Intel's reported 10% CPU price hike is scheduled to coincide with the company's expected Q1 2027 Nova Lake release window.

Who Is This For?

This information is primarily relevant for enterprise IT buyers, hardware analysts, and professionals who track the mobile workstation market for signs of the next-generation Intel architecture. The HP EliteBook X G3i, as the presumed successor to the Panther Lake-powered EliteBook X G2i, targets business users requiring high-core-count performance in a portable chassis.

Because the source material indicates that Nova Lake is intended to lead in the desktop space, this leak also matters for desktop enthusiasts awaiting Intel's 2027 platform. The presence of 20 cores in the mobile engineering sample suggests that laptop versions may rival or exceed current desktop core counts, though final product specifications remain unconfirmed.

Common Questions

What is the "Intel® 0000" processor listed in the SiSoftware database?

It is an engineering sample of an unannounced processor. The "0000" designation is a placeholder used when the CPU lacks an official name, such as Core Ultra X7 or X9, allowing hardware manufacturers to test systems without revealing final branding.

Why is it unusual to see Nova Lake on a laptop before desktop?

Nova Lake is primarily designated and expected to appear in the desktop PC space first. While unusual, Intel has precedent for sharing architectures across both categories, as seen with the current Arrow Lake architecture in desktop and high-end gaming laptops bearing the HX designation.

What did the leak reveal about the Nova Lake cache design?

The listing shows four 4MB L2 cache blocks. These blocks are not present in the current Panther Lake architecture, suggesting they may be shared by the expected Coyote-Cove P-Cores in Nova Lake, indicating a notable shift in cache topology.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based solely on the original report published by Lowyat.NET on September 17, 2026, titled "HP EliteBook X G3i With Alleged Intel Nova Lake CPU Leaks." The primary data originates from a SiSoftware benchmark database entry, initially surfaced by hardware leaker @momomo_us via X (Twitter) on September 17, 2026, and subsequently reported by Videocardz.

All specifications, including core counts, clock speeds, and cache sizes, are transcribed directly from the SiSoftware entry as shared in the source material. No external verification of the engineering sample was performed. This article was last updated on [current date].