Here’s how to read Intel’s processor name to know what’s on your Windows 10 PC.
While you may have bought a new desktop or laptop with an Intel Core i7 processor, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have the latest or the fastest processor.
When Intel and other chip manufacturers used their brands, gigahertz speed and quantity were better used in the old days. However, because hertz is not a real indicator of a processor’s performance, Intel changed its chip-naming scheme with the Core series to shift its marketing away from frequency.
Aside from Pentium, today, we have four different groups of consumer processors, including Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9. However, while higher numbers mean more performance, more features, and more money, Core i7 on laptops is not the same as Core i7 desktop, and Core i5 released in 2017 doesn’t. Is similar to the Core I5 released in 2016.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to check out the Intel processor included in your Windows 10 device.
How to find out which Intel processor is installed on your computer
There are at least three ways to view processor information on your device.
On Windows 10, you can go to Settings> System> About.
On older versions of Windows, including the latest one, you can also view the processor information go to Control Panel > System and Security > System.
Alternatively, you can open Start, type msinfo32, and open System Information; you can also find information about your system’s processor.
Which Intel processor do you have?
Using the processor information, you can determine the type and, more importantly, create the processor you have.
In my case, I have a Dell laptop with an Intel Core i7-4712HQ. If you look at the information, we can break it down to know what type of chip this chip is:
- Intel Core – This is a trademark.
- i7 – Indicates processor type. Or how Intel defines it, the Brand Modifier.
- 4 – The first number after the hyphen, in the four-digit sequence, indicates the generation. In this case, this processor is from Core‘s fourth generation, released in 2014. Recently, Intel launched its eighth-generation (Coffee Lake) line of processors, which means four sequences on the chip will start with the number 8, for example, Core i5- 8 250U.
- 712 – The three numbers after the generated number, in the four-digit sequence, the corresponding identifier is called the SKU Number Number.
- HQ – The end suffix alpha represents the process line. In this case, HQ means it features high-performance graphics.
Although you can quickly talk about the Intel processor model and generation, the alpha suffix after the four-digit sequence number can be confusing because it can have different meanings for each.
In the table below, you’ll see a description for each of the sequels available until the eighth generation of Intel processors stops working until the second generation, which is when the “i” series begins.
| Alpha Suffix | Description |
|---|---|
| Mobile | |
| U | Deficient capacity |
| H | High-performance graphics |
| HK | High-performance graphics, unlockable |
| HQ | High-performance graphics, quad-core High-performance graphics (4th generation) |
| Y | Deficient capacity |
| MX | Mobile extreme edition |
| MQ | 4-core mobile phone |
| M | Mobile |
| QM | Quad-core mobile phone (3rd & 2nd generation) |
| Desktop | |
| K | Unlock |
| T | Energy-optimized lifestyle |
| C | Unlocked desktop based on LGA 1150 package with high-performance graphics |
| R | Desktop processor based on BGA1364 (mobile) package with high-performance graphics |
| S | Performance optimized lifestyle |
Keep in mind that these steps are not only helpful for knowing what type of processor and processor generation you have from Intel, but they also come in handy when looking to buy a new device and stay away from deals that leave you behind. I think you are getting a good deal. You are merely purchasing an older product.
You can also check Intel’s support website for more details on processor numbers for laptops, desktops, and mobile devices.
