Intel processors keep secrets in their code names: we help you discover what they mean

A conversation I had with a friend yesterday got me thinking of an idea for an article. And it is that in the process of autonomously assembling a home PC, he had some doubts when choosing the processor for his computer. Doubts related to the nomenclature of Intel processors

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And it is that although in the end he opted for a processor signed by AMD, the names with which Intel calls its processors, hide a series of keys that is always interesting to know.Names made up of a series of numbers and letters that we are now eviscerating."

Passing name

At this point, Intel processors are already in their ninth generation. Each of them has a name and so the Sixth Generation is called Skylake, the Seventh Generation is called Kaby Lakeand the last one, the ninth, is referred to as Coffee Lake Refresh and has a manufacturing process of 14 nm++.

Let's take as an example one of the eighth generation models, the Intel Core i7-8550U. We see a series of data in the name that we will now analyze.

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• Intel Core: Used to indicate the architecture to which it belongs"
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• i7: establishes which range belongs to within Intel Core (you can choose i3, i5 or i7) "
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• 8: this number indicates the generation to which it belongs, in this case the Eighth"
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• 550: The next three digits are the SKU numbers."
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• U: Indicates a very low power processor that does not require fans"

This is the parsed name, but the options go much further. The final letter, which is the one that can change the most, can offer multiple changes that are always interesting to know. Some letters that also change over the years. We start with the nomenclature for desktop computers in those of Ninth Generation:

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• K: This letter (comes from Unlocked) means that the processors that display it have neither speed nor voltage locked. They can be overclocked, that is, increase their factory speed. Processors designed for games."
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• F: Requires a separate graph."

In the Eighth Generation, more than interesting processors, these were the letters used:

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• K: means that the processors that display it have neither speed nor voltage blocked. They can be overclocked. It is a desktop model."
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• G: Includes standalone graphics in the package. For laptop only."
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• U: ultra low consumption. For laptop only."

If we go down to Seventh Generation, the letters change again:

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• H: Provides high performance graphics."
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• HK: Provides high-performance graphics and is non-blocking. They can be overclocked."
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• HQ: Quad-core. Offers high-performance graphics."
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• U: Ultra low power consumption."
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• Y: extremely low consumption."

If we continue traveling in time, we reach the Sixth Generation. Again, a distinction is made between laptop and desktop processors:

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• K: means that the processors that display it have neither speed nor voltage blocked. They can be overclocked. It is a desktop model."
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• T: Offers a power-optimized lifestyle. It is a desktop model."
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• H: Provides high-performance graphics. For laptop only."
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• HK: Provides high-performance graphics and is non-blocking. They can be overclocked. For laptop only."
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• HQ: with four cores. It offers high performance graphics. For laptop only."
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• U: ultra low consumption. For laptop only."

Throughout the nine generations, we see how the nomenclatures have been changing. Along with the letters already seen that adorn the end of each name, others have appeared that boasted other features. Use these examples:

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• X: comes from extreme and means that it is a processor that offers maximum performance. More power but also at a higher price."
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• T: Processor optimized for power priority"
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• C: Processor with unlocked multipliers."
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• R: Desktop processor but soldered to motherboard."
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• M: Laptop Processor"
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• MQ: Quad-core notebook processor."
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• MX: Xtreme editing processor but for portable."
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• QM: Quad-core notebook processor."

Source | Intel