How to check Intel processor generation on Windows 11, 10

Although you may have bought a new desktop computer or laptop featuring an Intel Core i9 processor, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have the latest or fastest processor.

In the old days, when Intel and other chip makers labeled their processors using their gigahertz speeds, the higher the number, the better. However, because hertz is not a real indicator of a processor’s performance, Intel changed its chip name scheme with the “Core” series to shift its marketing away from frequency.

We currently have four performance tiers for consumer processors, including Core i3, i5, i7, and i9. However, while a higher number means more performance, more features, and more money, a Core i7 on a laptop is not the same as a Core i7 on a desktop computer, and the Core i5 that was released in 2017 is not the same as a Core i5 that was released on 2024. It’s important to note that Intel has discontinued the “Pentium” and “Celeron” brands in 2023. 

In this guide, I’ll explain the steps to check the Intel processor generation included on your Windows 10 device.

Find out what Intel processor is on your computer

There are at least two ways to check the processor information on your device.

From Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on System.

3. Click the About page.

4. Confirm the Intel processor details under the “Device specifications” section.

   

From Windows 10

On Windows 10, you can use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on System.

3. Click on About.

4. Confirm the processor details under the “Device specifications” section.

   

From System Information

If you want to use the System Information tool on Windows 11 and 10, you can use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for System Information and click the top result to open the app.

3. Confirm the Intel processor details under the “System Summary” section.

   

What Intel processor do you have?

Using the processor information, you can identify the type and, more importantly, the generation of the processor you have.

In my case, I have an older Lenovo IdeaPad laptop with an Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor. If you look at the information, we can break it down to know exactly the type of chip this is:

• Intel Core — This is the brand name.
• i5 — Indicates the performance tier or the “Brand Modifier.”
• 11 — The first two digits signify the generation. In this case, this processor is from the 11th-generation (Tiger Lake) released in 2020.
• 1135—This part of the model number signifies the specific performance level within the 11th-generation Core i5 family. The higher numbers generally indicate better performance.
• G7 — This indicates that the processor is part of Intel’s 10nm Tiger Lake family, designed for thin and light laptops. The “G” signifies a mobile processor, and the “7” suggests a specific generation or revision within the Tiger Lake family.

While you can quickly tell the type and generation of an Intel processor, it can still be confusing for many people, even tech-savvy users, as the company usually changes the processor annotation with new generations.

Intel processor naming convention

Intel’s CPU generations are categorized based on their architectural design and manufacturing process. Each generation offers advancements in performance, power efficiency, and features. The naming convention of processors provides key information about their generation, performance level, and capabilities.

Here’s a breakdown of CPU naming conventions using the Intel Core i9-14900K, which, at the time of this writing, is the most powerful consumer processor from the company:

Brand Modifier

Core — Indicates Intel’s consumer product line. Other categories include Pentium, Celeron, and the newer Core Ultra series.

i3, i5, i7, i9 — These are the performance tiers:

• i3: Entry-level, suited for basic tasks.
• i5: Mid-range, balanced performance for most users.
• i7: High performance for enthusiasts and professionals.
• i9: Top-tier performance for demanding workloads like gaming, content creation, or AI.

Generation Number

14900 — The first two digits (14) signify the generation. The 14th generation processors (codenamed Meteor Lake) launched in late 2023 and continued through 2024. 

SKU Suffix

900 — The last three digits within the model number indicate performance differences within the same generation and tier. A higher number usually means better performance.

Core and Core Ultra suffixes

Here’s the breakdown of the different suffixes for desktop processors:

• K: Unlocked for overclocking.
• F: Requires a discrete GPU because the CPU lacks integrated graphics.
• S: Special edition.
• T: Optimized for low power consumption.

For laptops:

• HX: High-performance mobile processors with desktop-like capabilities.
• HK: Highest performance with all SKUs unlocked.
• H: High-performance mobile (laptop) processors.
• U: Ultra-low-power mobile processors.
• Y: Extremely low-power efficient.
• G1-G7: Graphics level (processors with newer integrated graphics technology).
• KF: Unlocked and lacks integrated graphics.

For embedded devices:

• E: Embedded.
• UE: Power efficient.
• HE: High performance.
• UL: Power efficient, in LGA package.
• HL: Highest performance in LGA package.

Breaking down Intel processor names

Although you now have an idea of how to decode the name of an Intel processor, the company has different naming conventions for different types of processors.

Intel Core Ultra 

The “Intel Core Ultra” is the latest branding for the family of processors that come with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI tasks and integrated graphics with the Intel Arc architecture. 

An Intel Core Ultra processor name can look like this: Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 185H.

If we break the name down, “Intel” indicates the corporate brand, while “Core Ultra” defines the product brand, “9” is the performance tier, and “185H” is the SKU. The SKU also breaks even further, and in this case, “1” indicates the generation, and “H” is the suffix.

Intel Core

Intel also has the Core processors (Series 1), which are the most recent everyday processors without a Neural Processing Unit.

An Intel Core process name can look like this: Intel Core 7 processor 150H.

If we break the name down, “Intel” indicates the corporate brand, while “Core” defines the product brand, “7” is the performance tier, and “150U” is the SKU. The SKU also breaks even further, and in this case, “1” indicates the generation, and “U” is the suffix.

Intel Core (14th Gen)

The company also still offers the 14th generation of Intel Core processors that feature a balance of efficiency and performance because of its hybrid design.

An Intel Core 14th Gen can look like this: Intel Core i9 processor 14900K.

If we break the name down, “Intel” indicates the corporate brand, while “Core” defines the product brand, “i9” is the performance tier, and “14900K” is the SKU. The SKU also breaks even further, and in this case, “14” indicates the generation, and “K” is the suffix.

Intel Core N-Series

Finally, Intel also offers entry-level processors for laptops and desktops with the N-Series.

An Intel Core N-Series processor name can look like this: Intel Core i3-N305 processor.

If we break the name down, “Intel” indicates the corporate brand, while “Core” defines the product brand, “i3” is the performance tier, “N305” is the SKU, and the “N” indicates the prefix.

Remember that these steps are useful not only for knowing the type and processor generation you have from Intel, but they can also come in handy when looking to purchase a new device and staying away from deals that make you think you’re getting a good one when, in reality, you’re simply buying an older product.

You can also check Intel’s support website for more details on processor numbers for laptops, desktops, and mobile devices.