Intel processor generations

What are they?

Intel is constantly working g to improve the speed and efficiency across its range of processors, which include its Core i3, i5 (pictured), i7 and i9 chips. hi It releases new processors in groups (or generations), which benefit from the latest improvements. The 11th generation was released last year, with the 12th due in late 2021.

How do they work?

Each new generation of processors is given a number. The higher the number, the more recent, efficient and speedy the processor is. It has become particularly useful to know which generation of processor your PC has, because Microsoft recently announced that its upcoming Windows 11 operating system won’t work on PCS with an Intel Core processor that’s older than the 8th generation.

What are the specs?

Usefully, Intel gives its processors sensible model numbers that tell you which generation they are – just look at the number after the dash. The 10th and 11th generation chips can be identified by the first two digits of their model number (so i7-10710u, for example, is 10th generation, while i5-1135g7 is 11th).

Can I change it later?

You’d need to buy a new processor to move from one generation to the next. It’s worth noting, however, that not all processors will be compatible with the motherboards produced for the previous generation. Eleventh-generation processors should work on 10th-generation motherboards but not older ones. Ninth- and 8th-generation processors are also largely compatible with each other, but not with generations before or after. You should always check whether your motherboard is compatible before upgrading to a new processor.