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 Intel® processors are recommended for your needs.
Comparing the Intel® Processors1
Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors
Intel’s premium family of processors, Intel® Core™ Ultra processors, deliver performance for relentless productivity, creation, and entertainment that enables you to push even further.
Featuring Intel’s latest architecture, they include neural processing units (NPUs) and may include an Intel® Arc™ GPU6 for graphics and AI acceleration. Now, customers can enjoy exciting new AI capabilities on select processors—like video editing, collaboration, and game upscaling—while conserving more power.
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 performance level.
Intel® Core™ Ultra processors have a SKU number 1 or 2, representing series 1 and series 2 processors, respectively.
Intel® Core™ Ultra processors have suffixes H, U or V.
For example: Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processor 165H and Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processor 288V.
Comparing Intel Core Ultra Processor2 7 8
Intel® Core™ Processors (Series 1)
Intel® Core™ processors usher in the new era of advanced innovation with a shorter naming scheme that includes a 3-digit system for the processor number.
The Intel® Core™ processors family includes Intel® Core™ 7 processor, Intel® Core™ 5processor, and Intel® Core™ 3 processor.
Comparing Intel Core processors (Series 1) 3 8
Intel® Core™ Processors (14th gen)
Intel® Core™ 14th gen processors deliver high performance and efficiency thanks to a groundbreaking new performance hybrid design.
These include Intel® Core™ i9 processor, Intel® Core™ i7 processor, Intel® Core™ i5processor, and Intel® Core™ i3 processor.
Learn more about the new Intel® Core™ 14th generation desktop processors
Learn about previous generations:
13th Gen Intel® Core® processors ›
Understanding Intel® Core™ Processor Suffixes
Form/Function Type/Segment |
Suffix |
Optimized/Designed for |
|---|---|---|
Desktop |
K |
High performance, unlocked |
|
F |
Requires discrete graphics |
|
S |
Special edition |
|
T |
Power-optimized lifestyle |
|
X/XE |
High performance, unlocked |
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 |
Comparing Intel Core Processors (14th gen)4 8
| Recommended For |
Intel® Core™ i9 Processor (14th gen)4 |
Intel® Core™ i7 Processor (14th gen)4 |
Intel® Core™ i5 Processor (14th gen)4 |
Intel® Core™ i3 Processor (14th gen)4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enthusiast Gaming |  |
 |
 |
 |
| Casual Gaming | |
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|
 |
| Gaming While Streaming/Recording | |
|
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| Advanced Content Creation | |
|
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| Basic Content Creation | |
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| Everyday Performance | |
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Gaming processor suffixes
Intel® Core™ Processors N-Series
The Intel® Core™ processor N-Series provides a step-up in performance for entry-level computing on both laptops and desktops. The N-Series naming convention is:
Intel® Processor
We also have processors for the value product space. The Intel® Processor is an offering that builds on the Intel Pentium® and Intel 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.
Intel® Pentium® Silver and Gold Processors
While Intel is continuing to offer existing Intel® Pentium® Silver and Intel® Pentium® Gold processors, advancements to these processor 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.
Intel® Pentium® Gold and Silver processors are distinguished by their overall CPU performance:
- Intel® Pentium® Gold processors are optimized for performance.
- Intel® Pentium® Silver processors are optimized for cost.
Intel® Celeron® Processors
The Intel® Celeron® processor naming convention includes two different formats. Some Intel® Celeron® processors may have one of the following: 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.