HP EliteBook X G3i Leaks as First Intel Nova Lake Laptop

HP is preparing an update to its EliteBook X lineup with the upcoming G3i model, a shift that matters because it signals the industry's move toward Intel's next-generation Nova Lake architecture. This 14-inch business laptop appears in benchmark databases as a successor to the current Panther Lake-based EliteBook X G2i. Buyers tracking processor roadmaps should watch this device as a primary indicator of how Intel's new silicon integrates into thin-and-light chassis designs.

Benchmark data reveals 20-core Nova Lake processor in upcoming 14-inch business laptop

The hardware in question is an engineering sample of the HP EliteBook X G3i, identified by the motherboard ID HP 8FF4. SiSoftware has logged the system in its benchmark database, revealing details about the internal components before the official product launch. The processor identifier shows as 'Genuine Intel(R) 0000', a standard placeholder for unreleased chips that have not yet been assigned their final marketing names.

Benchmark data lists the processor with 20 cores and a maximum clock speed of 4.6 GHz. The system includes 18MB of L3 cache and features an L2 cache configuration consisting of four 4MB blocks. This specific cache topology aligns with rumored Nova Lake Coyote Cove P-core designs rather than the architecture found in the previous Panther Lake generation. The leak coincides with reports of ASRock Z990 motherboards, suggesting broader ecosystem preparation for the new platform.

These specifications come from a virtualized environment, which means the reported core counts and clock speeds may not reflect the final consumer product. Engineering samples often exhibit unusual processor topologies or performance characteristics that differ from mass-produced units. We should treat the 20-core count and 4.6 GHz speed as preliminary data points rather than confirmed final specs for the shipping laptop.