The processor number is one of several factors, along with processor brand, specific system configurations and system-level benchmarks, to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
A higher number within a processor class or family generally indicates more features, but it may be more of one and less of another. Once you decide on a specific processor brand and type, compare processor numbers to verify the processor includes the features you are looking for.
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Laptop, Desktop & Mobile Device Processors
2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor family
Processor numbers¹ for the 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor family have an alpha/numerical identifier followed by a four digit numerical sequence, and may have an alpha suffix depending on the processor. The table below explains the alpha suffixes used for the 2nd generation Intel Core processor family.
| Alpha Suffix | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| K | Unlocked | i7-2600K/i5-2500K |
| S | Performance optimized lifestyle | i5-2500S/i5-2400S |
| T | Power optimized lifestyle | i5-2500T/i5-2390T |
Processor numbers for the Previous Generation Intel Core processor family have an alpha/numerical identifier followed by a three digit numerical sequence.
Processor numbers for the Intel® Core™2 processor family brands are categorized with an alpha prefix followed by a four digit numerical sequence. The table below explains the alpha prefixes used for the Intel Core2 processor families.
| Alpha Prefix | Description |
|---|---|
| QX | Desktop or mobile quad-core extreme performance processors |
| X | Desktop or mobile dual-core extreme performance processors |
| Q | Desktop quad-core high performance processors |
| E | Desktop energy efficient dual-core processors with TDP greater than or equal to 55W |
| T | Mobile highly energy efficient processors with TDP 30-39W |
| P | Mobile highly energy efficient processor with TDP 20-29 W |
| L | Mobile highly energy efficient with TDP 12-19W |
| U | Mobile ultra high energy efficient with TDP less than or equal to 11.9W |
| S | Mobile small form-factor with 22x22 BGA package |
Processor numbers for the Intel® Core™2 Quad family have an alpha prefix followed by a four digit numerical sequence. Additionally, low power Intel Core2 Quad processors are identifiable by an "S" suffix which represents processors having a lower thermal design power.
Intel® Atom™ processors
Processor numbers for the Intel® Atom™ processor family are categorized by a three digit numerical sequence. Netbook class Intel® Atom™ processors have an alpha prefix of N, and Intel Atom processors with an alpha prefix of Z indicate the processor is for Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs).
A higher number within a processor class or family generally indicates more features. A higher processor number may have more of one feature and less of another.
Intel® Pentium® processors
Processor numbers for the Intel Pentium brand have an alpha prefix followed by a four character numerical sequence. All are desktop energy-efficient dual-core processors with TDP that is greater than or equal to 65W.
A higher number within a processor class or family generally indicates more features such as cache, clock speed, Front Side Bus or other Intel technologies¹. A higher number processor may also have more of one feature and less of another.
Intel® Celeron® processors
Processor numbers for the Intel® Celeron® brand are expressed with either a three digit numerical sequence or a five character sequence with an alphabetical prefix and four digits, depending on the processor type.
A higher number within a processor class or family generally indicates more features such as cache, clock speed, Front Side Bus or other Intel technologies¹. A higher number processor may also have more of one feature and less of another.
Server and Workstation Processors
Intel® Xeon® Processor E3 and E7 families
The latest Intel® Xeon® processor numbering system is an alpha numeric representation of product line, product family and version. An ‘L’ suffix will be used identify a low power processor. The version number will not be used in the first processor generation.
Intel® Xeon® processor families and product lines
| Processor Family | Product Line | System Type |
|---|---|---|
| Intel® Xeon® processor | E7 | Multi-processor |
| Intel® Xeon® processor | E5 | (future release) |
| Intel® Xeon® processor | E3 | Single-processor |
Intel® Xeon® and Intel® Itanium® processors
Intel® Xeon® and Intel® Itanium® processor numbers are categorized in four digit numerical sequences, and may have an alpha prefix to indicate power and performance.
| Alpha Prefix | Description |
|---|---|
| X | Performance |
| E | Mainstream (rack-optimized) |
| L | Power-Optimized |
Intel® Xeon® and Intel® Itanium® processor families and their number sequence
| Processor Family | Number Sequence | System Type |
|---|---|---|
| Intel® Itanium® processor | 9000 | Multi-processor and dual-processor |
| Intel® Xeon® processor | 7000 | Multi-processor |
| Intel® Xeon® processor | 5000 | Dual-processor |
| Intel® Xeon® processor | 3000 | Single-processor |







