Intel may move back to four-digit CPU naming scheme, as impressive Core Ultra 9 4950K results leak
Intel’s upcoming Nova Lake desktop processors will mark a significant naming scheme change, as the company plans to return to four-digit CPU designations—reverting to a naming convention last used in 2013. This represents a departure from the three-digit naming scheme that Intel introduced with its Core Ultra processors in 2024.
Leaked benchmark results have begun surfacing ahead of Nova Lake’s expected launch in late 2026 or early 2027. A CPU-Z screenshot shared by leaker @laurentschoice revealed a processor designated as “Intel Core Ultra 9 4950K,” which the four-digit designation suggests is positioned as a high-end or flagship SKU within the Nova Lake lineup. This benchmark leak provides the first concrete evidence of Intel’s naming strategy for the upcoming generation.
The naming change could reflect Intel’s efforts to reorganize its product positioning ahead of the transition to Nova Lake architecture. By returning to the more traditional four-digit scheme, Intel may be signaling a clearer performance hierarchy for consumers while differentiating these chips from the existing Core Ultra generation. This shift demonstrates the company’s continued evolution in brand strategy as it competes in the high-performance desktop CPU market.