A Brief Guide to Our Latest Intel Processor and Naming Updates

 Processors aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution; selecting the right one can benefit your system and budget. This article will help you establish a baseline understanding and see which processors from Intel are recommended for your needs.

Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors

Intel’s premium family of processors, Intel Core Ultra processors, delivers performance for relentless gaming, productivity, creation, and entertainment, enabling you to push even further.

Featuring Intel’s latest architecture, they include neural processing units (NPUs) and may have an Intel® Arc™ GPU1 for graphics and AI acceleration2. Now, customers can enjoy exciting new AI capabilities natively on select processors—like video editing, collaboration, and game upscaling—while conserving more power.

Learn more about the Intel Core Ultra processors ›

Performance, SKU, and suffix for Intel Core Ultra Processors

The Intel Core Ultra processor family includes the Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, and Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, indicating a performance tier.

Intel Core Ultra processors have a SKU number 1 or 2, representing the generation, respectively.

Intel Core Ultra mobile processors have suffixes H, U, or V.

Intel Core Ultra desktop processors have suffixes K, F, KF, or T.

For example: Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 165H and Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 288V.

Learn more about suffixes ›

Intel® Core™ Processors

Intel Core processors deliver accessible performance for laptops and come with a shorter naming scheme that includes a 3-digit system for the processor number.

The Intel Core processor family includes Intel® Core™ 7 processor, Intel® Core™ 5 processor, and Intel® Core™ 3 processor.

Learn more about the new Intel Core processors (Series 1) ›

Learn more about suffixes ›

Intel® Core™ Processors (14th gen)

The Intel Core processors (14th gen) delivers high performance and efficiency thanks to performance hybrid architecture.

This processor family includes the Intel® Core™ i9 processor, Intel® Core™ i7 processor, Intel® Core™ i5 processor, and Intel® Core™ i3 processor.3

Learn more about the Intel Core Desktop processors (14th gen) ›

Learn more about suffixes ›

Intel® Core™ Processors N-Series

The Intel Core processor N-Series provides a boost in performance for entry-level computing on both laptops and desktops. The N-Series naming convention is:

Suffixes for Intel Core Ultra and Intel Core Processors

Form/Function Type/Segment	Suffix	Optimized/Designed for
Desktop	K	High performance, unlocked
	F	Requires discrete graphics
	S	Special edition
	T	Power-optimized lifestyle
Mobile (Laptop and 2 in 1)	HX	Highest performance, all SKUs unlocked
	HK	Highest performance, all SKUs unlocked
	H	Highest performance
	P	Performance optimized for thin and light laptops
	U	Power efficient
	Y	Extremely low-power efficient
	G1-G7	Graphics level (processors with newer integrated graphics technology)
Embedded	E	Embedded
	UE	Power efficient
	HE	High performance
	UL	Power efficient, in LGA package
	HL	Highest performance, in LGA package

Intel® Processor

We also have processors for the value product space. The Intel Processor is an offering that builds on the Pentium® and Celeron® brands with updated features.

Note: The Intel Processor does not include any generation indicator in the number format. The Intel Processor alphanumeric prefix will start with an N or U.

Additionally, the Intel Processor also includes other variations outside of N-series processors.

Pentium® Silver and Pentium® Gold Processors

While Intel continues to offer existing Pentium Silver and Pentium Gold processors, advancements to these offerings will be under the Intel Processor brand.

Higher numbers within the processor class indicate improved features and benchmarks, including cache, clock speed, or front-side bus.

Pentium Gold and Pentium Silver processors are distinguished by their overall CPU performance:

• Pentium Gold processors are optimized for performance.
• Pentium Silver processors are optimized for cost.

View Intel Pentium processors ›

Intel® Celeron® Processors

The Celeron processor naming convention includes two different formats. Some Celeron processors may include a four-digit number, a prefix, or a suffix.

Higher numbers within the processor family typically indicate improved features and benchmarks, including cache, clock speed, or front-side bus.

View Intel Celeron processors ›

Thanks for Reading.

Masud Rana

Next Generation SSDs: Faster, More Reliable, and More Efficient

Next Generation SSDs: Faster, More Reliable, and More Efficient

Solid-state drives (SSDs) have been around for a while, and they have proven to be a game-changer in terms of storage speed and reliability. The next generation of SSDs promises to be even better, with faster read and write speeds, more reliable data storage, and improved power efficiency.

Let's take a look at what we can expect from the next generation of SSDs? Here are some of the key advancements that we are likely to see:

Compact Storage Solutions and Interface Support

Compact storage devices, including M.2 SSDs, have gained popularity due to their small size, high performance, and compatibility with various interfaces like PCIe. The newest storage devices leverage PCIe 4.0 technology for faster data transfer rates and improved performance. As PCIe 5.0 becomes more widespread, these devices are anticipated to further enhance their capabilities, making them well-suited for high-performance applications.

PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 Interfaces

The current generation of SSDs typically use the PCIe 3.0 interface, which has a theoretical maximum speed of 985MB/s per lane. The next generation of SSDs is expected to use the faster PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 interfaces, which offer speeds of up to 2GB/s per lane and 4GB/s per lane, respectively.

This means that the next generation of SSDs will be able to transfer data much faster than current models, making them ideal for high-performance computing and other applications that require fast data transfer rates.

Improved NAND Flash Memory

The NAND flash memory used in SSDs is constantly evolving, and the next generation of SSDs is expected to use even more advanced NAND flash memory. This will allow for higher storage capacities and faster read and write speeds.

For example, the upcoming QLC NAND flash memory will allow for SSDs with capacities of up to 16TB, while the new 3D NAND flash memory will offer faster read and write speeds, as well as improved reliability.

The small form factor of compact storage devices, coupled with the latest advancements in NAND flash memory, allows for impressive performance in both capacity and speed. QLC NAND and 3D NAND technologies are being integrated into these devices, enabling the development of drives with larger storage capacities, faster read and write speeds, and increased reliability. This makes compact storage devices an excellent choice for users seeking high-performance storage solutions.

More Advanced Controllers

The controller is a key component of any SSD, and the next generation of SSDs is expected to use more advanced controllers that offer better performance and reliability.

For example, the upcoming NVMe 2.0 standard will introduce new features like IO determinism, which will help to improve the reliability and predictability of SSDs. Other advanced features like Host Memory Buffer (HMB) and Dynamic Stream Balancing (DSB) will help to improve performance and efficiency.

The integration of advanced controllers in compact storage devices helps optimize performance and enhance reliability. Next-generation controllers will also support the NVMe 2.0 standard, improving features such as IO determinism, Host Memory Buffer (HMB), and Dynamic Stream Balancing (DSB). These enhancements further improve the performance, efficiency, and reliability of compact storage devices, making them suitable for various applications.

More Efficient Power Management

Power efficiency is always a concern with any storage device, and the next generation of SSDs is expected to use more efficient power management techniques.

For example, the upcoming PCIe 5.0 standard will introduce a new power-saving mode called L1.3, which will allow SSDs to consume less power when idle. Other techniques like improved power gating and dynamic voltage and frequency scaling will also help to improve power efficiency.

Low power consumption is a notable feature of compact storage devices like M.2 SSDs, making them ideal for laptops and other portable devices. The PCIe 5.0 standard introduces the L1.3 power-saving mode, further improving power efficiency. Techniques such as enhanced power gating and dynamic voltage and frequency scaling contribute to overall power efficiency, increasing the appeal of these devices for energy-conscious users.

Increased Security Features

As data security becomes an increasingly important concern, the next generation of SSDs is expected to offer more advanced security features. For example, the upcoming PCIe 5.0 standard will introduce new security features like hardware-based Root of Trust and Signed Firmware Updates. Other security features like self-encrypting drives (SEDs) and secure erase will also help to improve data security.

Compact storage devices are also expected to benefit from increased security features offered by the PCIe 5.0 standard, such as hardware-based Root of Trust and Signed Firmware Updates. It is likely that these devices will incorporate self-encrypting drives (SEDs) and secure erase options, providing users with a higher level of data security. These features make compact storage devices an attractive option for those seeking secure storage solutions.

The next generation of SSDs promises to be faster, more reliable, and more efficient than current models. These advancements will make SSDs an even more attractive option for a wide range of applications, from high-performance computing to consumer electronics. Whether you are a gamer, a creative professional, or a data center operator, the next generation of SSDs is sure to offer something for everyone.