What is an Intel CPU?

Intel is a world leader in central processing units (CPU) that drive desktop and laptop computers. Their CPUs are known for their high performance and energy efficiency, making them popular choices among gamers and content creators.

A processor’s model number is the first thing to look at when choosing a chip for your computer. The generation and series indicators help you narrow down the options, while the suffix tells you if the processor is intended for certain systems.
The Brand

Intel has decided to shake up its processor branding, at least for the next generation. The company is getting rid of the ‘i’ branding, which it claims was informed by market studies. Instead, it will place the generation in front of the processor model number. So an Intel Core i5-13600K will now be called an Intel Core 13 600K processor.

Likewise, Intel is splitting its premium client chips into their own brand of sorts by introducing the ‘Ultra’ moniker. The name will imply a higher tier of performance and a distinct target market, though the company doesn’t specify exactly what that means.

Whether this is an attempt to revive stagnating chip sales or simply a case of corporate simplification, it’s certainly an interesting move. We’ll see how it pans out as the new branding rolls out, starting with the upcoming Meteor Lake releases later this year. Of course, it remains to be seen if the new system will apply retroactively to older chips.
The Numbers

What makes Intel CPU models a little confusing is that they have numbers and letters after the brand name. These tell you more about the model and, in turn, what kind of computer it is designed for.

For instance, the first part of a chip’s model number usually indicates its generation. Core i3 chips are on the low end of performance and suited for laptops, while i5 and i7 chips offer a big step up in power, but also demand better cooling systems to keep them cool enough.

The next part of the model number usually includes one to three digits that indicate the processor’s performance level and features. The more cores a chip has, the faster it will be. However, because of the way Intel’s Turbo Boost technology works, the actual frequency at which a chip operates will depend on how many cores are actively being used. This is something that is sometimes overlooked when comparing the performance of different CPU models.
The Letters

The letters on the end of the processor model number are important because they tell you what type of chip it is. The first letter is a generation indicator and the rest of the alphabet is the product line suffix. The “G” indicates that the chip has a powerful built-in graphics processor. While most Intel chips come with basic built-in graphics processors to run some apps and games, the ones with “G” have enough power to eliminate the need for a separate video card.

The “K” and “X” indicate that the chip is unlocked, which means you can tweak its clock speeds (a process called overclocking) to get more performance out of it. The “U” indicates that the chip is designed for laptops and other mobile devices, so it has lower clock speeds to reduce heat and reduce the risk of overheating. The “U” is also a good indication that the chip is energy efficient, as Intel’s U-series of processors are designed to use less power than their full-size, non-U counterparts.
The Suffix

A suffix at the end of a processor name tells you something extra about its capabilities. Depending on the suffix, it may indicate that it can be overclocked, or that it requires a discrete graphics card (aka a GPU) to function properly.

The letter suffixes on Intel processors generally point to a specific product line, and can be helpful when shopping for the right CPU for your system. For example, a processor with the UF suffix (older chips only) indicates that it has ultra-low power and can be used in cheaper AIO PCs and laptops, while a processor with the HQ suffix is typically found in powerful laptops for photo and video editing.

The other suffixes, such as K and F, are useful when shopping for a gaming processor. The K suffix indicates that the processor can be overclocked, while the F suffix indicates that the chip doesn’t have integrated graphics and must be paired with a dedicated graphics card.Intel cpu’s