Embodiments disclosed herein include a core for a package substrate. In an embodiment, the core comprises a first substrate with a first surface and a second surface, a first recess into the first surface of the first substrate, a first layer in the first recess, where the first layer is electrically conductive, a second layer over the first layer, where the second layer is a dielectric layer, and a third layer over the second layer, where the third layer is electrically conductive. In an embodiment, the core further comprises a second substrate with a third surface and a fourth surface, where the third surface of the second substrate faces the first surface of the first substrate, a second recess in the third surface of the second substrate, and a fourth layer in the second recess, where the fourth layer is electrically conductive, and the fourth layer contacts the third layer.