Intel Processors Explained: Processor Families, Generations and Part Numbers Made Easy

Intel Processors Explained: Processor Families, Generations and Part Numbers Made Easy
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Intel sets the industry standard for processor innovation and performance, powering desktops, laptops, workstations and servers—for business and personal use, immersive gaming, content creation, IoT, Artificial Intelligence and more.

Intel iCore Processor Families Explained

Intel “High Performance” Core Processors

Intel’s highest performing CPUs for laptop and desktop PCs here in the Intel Core Series. From the top-end Intel Core i9 CPUs to our value-packed Intel Core i3 CPUs, business and creative professionals, gamers of all levels, and others can find an Intel Core CPUs that lets them do more.

i9

Intel Core X-series CPUs

Unlocked CPUs that deliver up to 18 cores for the most extreme gaming, creative production and multi-tasking.

i9

Intel Core i9 CPUs

Delivering up to 10 unlocked cores for seamless 4K Ultra HD and 360 video, robust gameplay and multitasking performance.

i7

Intel Core i7 CPUs

This CPU packs the power of up to 8 cores for accelerated computing supporting high-end gaming, connectivity and security.

i5

Intel Core i5 CPUs

Experience exceptional performance for home and business PCs, with up to 6 cores for gaming, creativity and multitasking.

i3

Intel Core i3 CPUs

These value-packed processors deliver outstanding performance for everyday tasks.

Intel “Low Power” Pentium, Celeron and Atom Processors

Mobile devices that start faster, work longer and support high-res Ultra HD 4K multimedia and high Frames Per Second (FPS) streaming. Efficient intelligence for devices at the network edge. These processors deliver advanced technology and processing capabilities onto an ultra-thin and lightweight design. Now it’s possible to get things done faster than ever.

Intel Pentium CPU

Intel Pentium Processor Series

Combining speed, power and value, for everyday computing on notebooks, convertibles, desktop and mini PCs.

Intel Pentium CPU

Intel Pentium Gold Processor Series

Pentium Gold processors are ideal for everyday computing like basic productivity and browsing visually rich webpages.

Intel Pentium CPU

Intel Pentium Silver Processor Series

Pentium Silver processors offer amazing video conferencing, faster wireless connectivity and a long battery life.

Intel Celeron CPU

Intel Celeron Processor Series

Providing affordable CPU performance for entry-level laptops and desktops, supporting strong connectivity, battery life.

Intel Atom CPUs

Intel Atom Processor Series

These small, powerful CPUs are ideal for mobile and IoT devices as well as high-density, low-energy data centre applications.

Intel Atom CPUs

Intel Atom Processor C Series

Atom C processor family for micro servers is designed to reduce energy demands, be configured to fit server specs.

Intel Atom CPUs

Intel Atom Processor P Series

Atom P processors provide high throughput, low latency processing for high-density network edge.

Intel “Workstations and Server” Xeon Processors

The 3rd Gen Xeon Scalable Processors benefits from decades of innovation for the most common workload requirements, supported by close partnerships and deep integrations with the world’s software leaders and solution providers. 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors are optimized for many workload types and performance levels, all with the consistent, open, Intel architecture you know and trust.

Intel Xeon CPU

Intel Xeon Scalable Processor Series

Xeon Scalable processor family delivers unparalleled scale and performance for compute, storage, network, security.

Intel Xeon CPU

Intel Xeon Processor Series

Built for data centres and workstations to handle the heavy processing demands of cloud, big data, modelling, AI and more.

Intel Movidius Vision Processing Units (VPUs)

Intel Movidius VPUs enable demanding computer vision and edge AI workloads with efficiency. By coupling highly parallel programmable compute with workload-specific hardware acceleration in a unique architecture that minimizes data movement, Movidius VPUs achieve a balance of power efficiency and compute performance. VPU technology enables intelligent cameras, edge servers and AI appliances with deep neural network and computer vision based applications in areas such as visual retail, security and safety and industrial automation.

Intel Movidius VPU

Intel Movidius Myriad X Vision Processing Units

Intel Movidius Myriad X VPU specifications, technology, configuration, features and benefits, get started and buy.

Intel iCore, Pentium and Celeron
Processor Names and Numbers Explained

Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor

Intel Core

Brand

The Intel naming scheme starts with the processor’s brand—the overall product line the processor was created for. Today, the most common Intel processor names begin with Intel Core, Intel Xeon, Intel Pentium and Intel Celeron.

i7

Brand Modifier

Intel Core processor series include a brand modifier before the remaining parts of the model number. Today, the Intel Core processor series includes the brand modifiers i3, i5, i7 and i9. Higher brand modifier numbers offer a higher level of performance and, in some cases, additional features (like Intel Hyper-Threading Technology).

10

Generation Indicator

After the brand and brand modifier comes the processor’s generation indicator. Intel processor generations are identified in the processor number in all Intel Core processor brands. In a four-digit processor number, the first digit typically represents the generation.

GenerationMicroarchitecture
1st Generation 2008Nehalem
2nd Generation 2011Sandy Bridge
3rd Generation 2012Ivy Bridge
4th Generation 2013Haswell
5th Generation 2015Broadwell
6th Generation 2015Skylake
7th Generation 2017Kaby Lake
GenerationMicroarchitecture
8th Generation 2018Whiskey Lake
9th Generation 2017Coffee Lake
10th Generation 2019Comet Lake
11th Generation 2020Tiger Lake
12th Generation 2021Alder Lake
13th Generation 2022Raptor Lake
14th Generation 2023Meteor Lake

65

SKU Numeric Digit

For the majority of Intel processors, the final three digits of the product number are the SKU. SKUs are generally assigned in the order in which processors in that generation and product line are developed. A higher SKU within otherwise-identical processor brands and generations will generally have more features.

G7

Product Line Suffix

The SKU suffix is another key indicator of the processor’s capabilities. These remaining differences are indicated by a letter-based product line suffix.

Product Line SuffixMeaning
G1 – G7Graphics level (processors with new integrated graphics technology only)
EEmbedded
FRequires discrete graphics
GIncludes discrete graphics on package
HHigh performance optimized for mobile
HKHigh performance optimized for mobile, unlocked
HQHigh performance optimized for mobile, quad core
KUnlocked
SSpecial edition
TPower-optimized lifestyle
UMobile power efficient
YMobile extremely low power
X / XEUnlocked, High End
BBall Grid Array (BGA)

Intel Pentium Processors

Names for Intel Pentium Silver processors include a single-letter prefix, followed by a four-digit SKU number. Intel Pentium Gold processors have no letter prefix and contain a SKU followed by a suffix.

Higher numbers within the processor class or family generally indicate improved features and benchmarks, including cache, clock speed, or front-side bus. Intel Pentium Gold and Silver processors are distinguished by the overall CPU performance. Intel Pentium Gold processors are optimized for performance, while Intel Pentium Silver processors are optimized for cost.

Intel Celeron Processors

Names for Intel Celeron processors have two different formats. Some Intel Celeron processors have a three-digit numerical SKU with no alphabetical prefix. Others include a single-letter prefix followed by a four-digit SKU. Higher numbers within the processor class or family typically indicate improved features and benchmarks, including cache, clock speed, or front-side bus.

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