The name of the Intel CPU series indicates their basic specifications. Let’s learn their meaning now.
1. Brand
The Intel naming scheme begins with the processor’s brand. Currently, the most common Intel® processor names start with Intel® Core ™, Intel® Pentium®, Intel® Celeron®, Intel® Xeon®.
Intel® Pentium® và Intel® Celeron® processors are economical product lines created for price-conscious consumers. Meanwhile, Intel® Core ™ processors bring faster performance and additional features not available in Intel® Pentium® và Intel® Celeron® models.
Intel® Xeon® processors offer a higher level of performance for servers and workstations.
2. Brand Modifier
Intel® Pentium® và Intel® Celeron® processors do not use this naming convention. Intel® Core ™ processor series includes 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.
3. 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.
For example, a processor with the digit 9800 is a 9th-generation processor. While one labeled 8800 is 8th-generation technology.
However, for 10th generation Intel® Core ™ processors, the first two digits in the product number will be 10.
4. SKU Numeric Digits
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.
For example, the Intel Core i5-8600 will have a higher processing speed than the Intel Core i5-8400.
However, SKU numbers are not recommended for comparison across different generations or product lines.
5. 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. The product line suffix can indicate the intended use and performance of the CPU.
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| G1 – G7 | Graphics level (processors with new integrated graphics technology only) | Intel® Core™ i7-8705G |
| F | Requires discrete graphics | Intel® Core™ i9-9900KF |
| H | High performance optimized for mobile | Intel® Core™ i3-7100H |
| HK | High performance optimized for mobile, unlocked | Intel® Core™ i7-7820HK |
| HQ | High performance optimized for mobile, quad core | Intel® Core™ i7-7920HQ |
| K | Unlocked | Intel® Core™ i9-9900K |
| S | Special edition | Intel® Core™ i7-4770S |
| T | Power-optimized lifestyle | Intel® Core™ i7-6700T |
| U | Mobile power efficient | Intel® Core™ i7-8650U |
| Y | Mobile extremely low power | Intel® Core™ i7-7Y75 |
References: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processors/processor-numbers.html