Intel is developing a new entry-level workstation and server platform codenamed Dunlow, powered by Nova Lake-S processors with up to 28 cores, according to shipping logs and hardware listings.
The Dunlow platform introduces the LGA 1954 socket and will support Intel’s next-generation Xeon processors. Early specifications point to a 28-core single-compute-tile design with a 95-watt thermal design power (TDP) and dual-channel DDR5 memory support. Unlike Intel’s recent P-Core-only Xeon designs, the 28-core Nova Lake-S chips will use a hybrid configuration of Performance cores and Efficiency cores — marking the return of E-Cores to the desktop Xeon lineup.
Platform details
The first Dunlow motherboard has been spotted in the supply chain: a Supermicro reference board (model MBD-X15SDCB-IN001) designed for original equipment manufacturers and customer validation. The board uses the Q970 chipset, which Intel designed specifically for the business and workstation segment, with features including Intel vPro support, 128 GB DDR5 CUDIMM capacity across two DIMM slots, dual PCIe Gen 5.0 x16 slots, and up to three 2.5 GbE LAN ports.
The LGA 1954 socket maintains the same physical dimensions as the current LGA 1851 (45 by 37.5 mm), so existing cooler mounts are expected to be compatible, though the updated die layout may require new offset or mounting kits from cooling manufacturers.
Intel has signaled that it intends to offer AMD-like socket longevity with LGA 1954, with future architectures including Razer Lake, Titan Lake, and Hammer Lake expected to share the same platform.
Product positioning
The Dunlow platform fills a gap in Intel’s product line that has been open since the Xeon E-2400 series, which was based on the Raptor Lake architecture and limited to 8 cores. Intel’s Bartlett Lake-S chips offered up to 12 P-Cores but were positioned for edge applications rather than traditional workstation use.
Nova Lake-S represents a broader architectural overhaul. Beyond the 28-core Dunlow parts, Intel is expected to offer dual-compute-tile Nova Lake configurations with up to 52 cores targeting high-end desktop users, as well as a Nova Lake-S SKU for edge applications with up to 12 Xe3P integrated GPU cores.
The 900-series chipset family supporting these processors will include five variants: the Z990 (enthusiast, with overclocking), W980 (workstation, ECC support), Q970 (business, vPro), Z970 (mainstream), and B960 (budget).
Sources: Intel preps 28-core Nova Lake-S CPUs for Dunlow workstation platform (Tom’s Hardware, July 9, 2026); Intel Nova Lake-S Xeon CPUs spotted on Dunlow LGA 1954 (Wccftech, July 9, 2026)