Intel Processors Naming Scheme

Core 2 Duo

The Core 2 Duo CPUs have a 5-digit alphanumeric naming scheme, for example; the Core 2 Duo E8600.

Identification

1. Number of Cores (E8600):

• E - Dual Core

2. Performance Segment (E8600):

• 4 - Low end Core 2 models
• 6 - Mainstream CPUs
• 7 - Mainstream CPUs (45nm)
• 8 - High-end CPUs (45nm)

3. SKU (E8600):

• This digit is higher for better performing processors

4. Extra/Removed Features (E8600):

• 0 - None
• 2 - Larger L2 cache
• 4 - Increased FSB speed
• 5 - Increased FSB speed
• 9 - Lacks Virtualization Support

5. Platform Type (E8600):

• 0 - Desktop
• 5 - Workstation

Core 2 Quad and Extreme

The Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Extreme CPUs, have a 6-digit alphanumeric naming scheme. For example; the Core 2 Extreme QX9650.

Identification

1. Number of Cores (QX9650):

• Q - Quad Core
• QX - Quad Core Extreme
• X - Dual Core Extreme

2. Performance Segment (QX9650):

• 6 - Mid-class CPUs
• 8 - Mid-class CPUs (45nm)
• 9 - High-end CPUs (45nm)

3. SKU (QX9650):

• This digit is higher for better performing processors

4+5. Extra/Removed Features (QX9650):

• 00 - None
• 05 - VT-d and TXT technologies

• 50 - Larger L2 cache, support for VT-d and TXT technologies (Q processors), Higher FSB or larger L2 cache (QX processors)

• 70 - Increased L2 cache and FSB
• 75 - Increased L2 cache and FSB, workstation platform

6. Power Consumption:

• Blank - Standard Power
• S - Reduced Power

Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 and Core i9

First Generation:

First Generation Core i CPUs use a 4-digit alphanumeric naming scheme. For example; the Core i7-860S.

Identification

1. Performance Segment (860S):

• 5 - Affordable mid-class dual-core CPUs
• 6 - Mid-class dual-core CPUs
• 7 - Mid-class quad-core CPUs
• 8 - Performance quad-core CPUs
• 9 - High-performance / Extreme CPUs

2+3. SKU (860S):

• This 2-digit number is usually higher for processors with higher clock speed or better features.

3. Additional Features:

• Blank - No extra features
• K - Unlocked core multiplies
• S - Energy-efficient (82W)
• X - Extreme Edition

Second/Third Generation:

Second/Third Generation Core i CPUs use a 5-digit alphanumeric naming scheme. For example; the Core i7-3970X.

Identification

1. Generation (i7-3970X):

• 2 - 2nd Generation (Sandy Bridge)
• 3 - 3rd Generation (Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge-E)

2. Performance Segment (i7-3970X):

• 1 - Affordable mid-class dual-core processors
• 2 - Affordable mid-class dual-core processors
• 3 - Mid-class quad-core CPUs
• 4 - Mid-class quad-core CPUs
• 5 - Performance quad-core CPUs
• 6 - High-performance quad-core microprocessors
• 7 - High-performance quad-core microprocessors
• 8 - Extreme performance
• 9 - Extreme performance / Top of the line

3+4. SKU (i7-3970X):

• This 2-digit number is usually higher for processors with higher clock speed or better features.

5. Extra Features

• Blank - No extra features
• C - Embedded model for communications market
• K - Unlocked clock multiplier
• P - Disabled on-chip GPU
• S - Energy-efficient version (65 Watt)
• T - Low-power version (35 Watt or 45 Watt)
• X - Extreme Edition

Fourth Generation and Newer:

Fourth Generation and newer Core i CPUs use a 5-digit alphanumeric naming scheme. For example; the Core i9-7980XE

Identification:

1. Generation (i9-7980XE):

• 4 - 4th Generation (Haswell or Ivy Bridge-E)
• 5 - 5th Generation (Broadwell or Haswell-E)
• 6 - 6th Generation (Skylake or Broadwell-E)
• 7 - 7th Generation (Kaby Lake or Skylake-X)
• 8 - 8th Generation (Coffee Lake, Kaby Lake-R or Kaby Lake-G)
• 9 - 9th Generation (Coffee Lake or Skylake-X)
• 10 - 10th Generation (Comet Lake or Cascade Lake-X)
• 11 - 11th Generation (Rocket Lake)
• 12 - 12th Generation (Alder Lake)

2. Performance Segment (i9-7980XE):

• 1 - Affordable mid-class dual-core and quad-core processors
• 3 - Affordable mid-class dual-core and quad-core processors
• 4 - Mid-class quad-core and six-core CPUs
• 5 - Mid-class quad-core and six-core CPUs
• 6 - Performance quad- and six-core CPUs
• 7 - High-performance quad- and six-core processors
• 8 - Extreme performance
• 9 - Extreme performance / Top of the line

3+4. SKU (i7-7980XE):

• This 2-digit number is usually higher for processors with higher clock speed or better features.

5. Extra features

Blank - No extra features

• C - Iris Pro graphics, socketable version; On Broadwell eDRAM on the CPU Package
• F - Disabled on-chip GPU
• K - Unlocked clock multiplier
• KF - Unlocked clock multiplier / Disabled on-chip GPU
• R - Iris Pro graphics, BGA version
• S - Energy-efficient version (65 Watt)
• T - Low-power version (35 Watt or 45 Watt)
• TE - Low-power version for embedded market (35 Watt)
• X - Unlocked clock multiplier
• XE - Unlocked clock multiplier / Extreme performance

Graphics Processing Unit

Central Processing Unit