Intel’s CPU branding has undergone a major overhaul

If you’ve been keeping an eye on Intel’s CPU lineup, you’ve probably noticed a significant shift in brand strategy. The familiar lowercase “i” followed by a number, which has been a staple since the launch of the i7 in 2008, is now a thing of the past. Instead, Intel is introducing a new branding scheme that divides its CPU lineup into two segments: Core and Core Ultra.

Transition from Core iX to Core

In the past, Intel CPUs were marked with a lowercase “i” followed by a number to indicate generation and performance tier. However, feedback from both consumers and OEMs has highlighted that this branding is becoming increasingly confusing. Because many users didn’t understand what the “i” meant, Intel simplified the brand by removing extraneous letters.

Introducing Core and Core Ultra

The new branding divides Intel’s CPU lineup into two categories: Core and Core Ultra. Core CPUs are designated as Core 3, 5, or 7, while Core Ultra CPUs have designations like Core Ultra 5, 7, or 9. These changes aim to provide consumers with clearer information about the processor’s intended use cases through targeting Core Ultra. It’s geared toward gamers and content creators, while Core is geared toward productivity and general use.

Simplify your naming scheme

In addition to the distinction between Core and Core Ultra, Intel is streamlining its naming scheme by de-emphasizing chip generation. Instead, we focus on the performance tiers within each category. This move is a response to the evolving landscape of CPU architectures, where certain designs can excel in certain use cases. Intel hopes that by simplifying the naming convention, it will be easier for consumers to understand the processor’s capabilities.

A new era for Intel

Additionally, the change in branding saw the Pentium and Celeron brands being retired and entry-level products now simply branded as Intel processors. This move further simplifies Intel’s product lineup, reducing confusion for both consumers and OEMs.

Looking into the future

The new branding scheme aims to simplify Intel’s CPU lineup, but there may still be some confusion surrounding the meaning of the numbers 3, 5, 7, and 9. These numbers are intended to indicate relative performance tiers within the Core and Core Ultra categories. Rather than a specific core count, this naming convention may be further refined in future generations of CPUs as Intel continues to innovate.

conclusion

In summary, Intel’s decision to overhaul its CPU brand represents a significant change in its approach to product differentiation. By simplifying the naming scheme and providing a clear distinction between performance tiers, Intel aims to make it easier for consumers to choose the right CPU for their needs. The switch may take some getting used to, but the ultimate goal is to provide a more intuitive and user-friendly experience for everyone involved in the PC ecosystem.