Nova Lake is expected by the end of 2026 , with a gradual arrival on the market. It is based on engraving Intel 18A , a key point to improve both performance and energy efficiency. Intel clearly aims for a strong comeback in pure performance, where Arrow Lake has sometimes left gamers wanting more.
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Some important points to keep in mind:
- Nova Lake = new platform , with a new socket very likely , so motherboard replacement to be expected
- Arrow Lake Refresh (2026) : a light update, useful especially if prices become attractive
- Panther Lake concerns primarily the ordinateurs portables , not fixed gaming PCs
The question of waiting mainly depends on your situation. If you already have a recent PC and play in 1440p or 4K, waiting for Nova Lake is not essential. However, if you plan to redo a complete setup by the end of 2026 , it is clearly the generation to watch.
As often, caution at launch: limited stocks and high prices are possible. In this case, the best option could be to look at the previous generation, often much more interesting in terms of performance/price ratio a few months after the release of Nova Lake.



