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Bye-bye-i: Intel changes the naming of its processors

16.6.2023

Translation: machine translated

Intel has been adding an "i" to the name of its processors for over 15 years. This will be dropped in future. Instead, the company is introducing the "Ultra" designation.

In 2008, Intel introduced the Core i series. Since then, the names of the models have remained more or less the same. With the new naming, "Core" remains at the core of the designation. The "i" is dropped from Meteor Lake, the 15th generation of the Core family. The generation designation, such as 12th Gen Core, has also been dropped.

The Raptor Lake refresh, which is expected later this year, should be the last generation with the current naming convention. In addition to the "Core" designation, another called "Core Ultra" will be introduced for high-end chips. In future, the processors will be called Intel Core 5 or Intel Core Ultra 9.

In addition to the name, the design of the logos and packaging will also change.
Source: Intel

Intel has decided to take this step because Meteor Lake marks a turning point in terms of design, production and architecture. The new naming is also intended to simplify the portfolio. The division into "Core" and "Core Ultra" is intended to better differentiate between mainstream and high-end chips.

Although the generation designation has been removed, it can still be seen in the processor number. It is not yet clear exactly what this designation will look like. In the Intel slides it looks something like this: Intel Core 7 ## xx. Intel intends to retain the prefixes "F", "K", "KF", "KS" and "T". It is therefore still possible to recognise from the designation whether a CPU can be overclocked, for example.

As can be seen in the small print at the bottom left, the model designation is not yet definitive.
Source: Intel

It is not yet clear exactly how "Core" and "Core Ultra" differ. In any case, the Core 9 is missing in the Core models and the Core 3 in the Core Ultra variants.

So not much will change. I personally don't mourn the "i". Although it is not officially declared what it stands for, it is obvious that it refers to Intel. As the name of the company is already at the beginning of the name anyway, it is superfluous.

It is a shame, however, that the generation designation can only be read from the model number. This makes it more difficult to find out which generation it is, especially for people who are not up to date.

Update: An earlier version of the article speculated differently about the designations. The information has now been supplemented with new information from Intel.

Cover photo: Kevin Hofer

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