Most computer users are familiar with semiconductor Intel’s product naming convention. Even if you use rival AMD’s central processing units, you have at least seen Intel chips marketed as Core i3, i5 or the high-end i7 and i9.
Intel started using the “i” identification in 2008 with the release of the i7, used it again in 2009 for the first Core i5 processor and in 2010 for the first low-entry i3 processor. But it seems that after nearly two decades, that’s coming to an end.
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Starting Over
The convenient naming structure of Intel processors immediately relays what they are best suited for. The i3 is budget-orientated, the i5 is mid-tier, and the i7 is mostly for power users. But it could become a lot more confusing if it goes through with planned changes.
The company is gearing up for the release of its Meteor Lake processors, and when asked by The Register if the names will be the same, Intel said that a few things would be different in the future.
“We are making brand changes, as we’re at an inflection point in our client roadmap in preparation for the upcoming launch of our Meteor Lake processors. We will provide more details regarding these exciting changes in the coming weeks,” Intel explained.
The questioning was in response to an industry analyst tweeting that Intel is about to “burn all brand recognition to the ground” by “removing the ‘i’ in i7, i5 and i3.” Other leaked information points to the chip giant using words such as “Ultra” to describe the next generation of processors.
A now-removed benchmark test for the PC game Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation listed an Intel Core Ultra 5 1003H as one of the tested components. It’s unclear if this was removed due to an error or whether the model number should never have been revealed.
Until Intel officially unveils the new naming convention, it’s easy to assume that the “Ultra” is part of it. It’s an interesting move from Intel, and it might coincide with a larger campaign to rebrand its components. Words such as “Ultra,”
“Super” and “Mega” appeal to younger players, a market that Intel may be targeting in the future.
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