---
title: Making sense of Intel and AMD CPUs naming
date: 2021-12-29
tags:
- amd
- intel
- cpu
---
## Intel
### Core
The line up for the core family is i3, i5, i7 and i9. As of January 2023, the current generation is [Raptor Lake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raptor_Lake) (13th generation).
The brand modifiers are:
- **i3**: laptops/low-end desktop
- **i5**: mainstream users
- **i7**: high-end users
- **i9**: enthusiast users
How to read a SKU ? Let's use the [i7-12700K](https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/134594/intel-core-i712700k-processor-25m-cache-up-to-5-00-ghz.html) processor:
- **i7**: high end users
- **12**: 12th generation
- **700**: SKU digits, usually assigned in the order the processors
are developed
- **K**: unlocked
List of suffixes:
| suffix | meaning |
|--------|----------------------------------------|
| G.. | integrated graphics |
| E | embedded |
| F | require discrete graphic card |
| H | high performance for mobile |
| HK | high performance for mobile / unlocked |
| K | unlocked |
| S | special edition |
| T | power optimized lifestyle |
| U | mobile power efficient |
| Y | mobile low power |
| X/XE | unlocked, high end |
> **Unlocked,** what does that means ? A processor with the **K** suffix
> is made with the an unlocked clock multiplier. When used with some
> specific chipset, it's possible to overclock the processor.
#### Raptor Lake (13th generation)
Raptor lake is an hybrid architecture, featuring both P-cores (performance cores) and E-cores (efficient cores), similar to Alder lake. P-cores are based on the [Raptor cove](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Cove#Raptor_Cove) architecture, while the E-cores are based on the [Gracemont](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gracemont_(microarchitecture)) architecture (same as for Alder lake).
Available processors:
| model | p-cores | e-cores | GHz (base) | GHz (boosted) | TDP |
|------------|---------|---------|------------|---------------|----------|
| i9-13900KS | 8 (16) | 16 | 3.2/2.4 | 6/4.3 | 150/253W |
| i9-13900K | 8 (16) | 16 | 3.0/2.0 | 5.8/4.3 | 125/253W |
| i9-13900KF | 8 (16) | 16 | 3.0/2.0 | 5.8/4.3 | 125/253W |
| i9-13900 | 8 (16) | 16 | 2.0/1.5 | 5.2/4.2 | 65/219W |
| i9-13900F | 8 (16) | 16 | 2.0/1.5 | 5.2/4.2 | 65/219W |
| i9-13900T | 8 (16) | 16 | 1.1/0.8 | 5.1/3.9 | 35/219W |
| i7-13700K | 8 (16) | 8 | 3.4/2.5 | 5.4/4.2 | 125/253W |
| i7-13700KF | 8 (16) | 8 | 3.4/2.5 | 5.4/4.2 | 125/253W |
| i7-13700 | 8 (16) | 8 | 2.1/1.5 | 5.1/4.1 | 65/219W |
| i7-13700F | 8 (16) | 8 | 2.1/1.5 | 5.1/4.1 | 65/219W |
| i7-13700T | 8 (16) | 8 | 1.4/1.0 | 4.8/3.6 | 35/106W |
| i5-13600K | 6 (12) | 8 | 3.5/2.6 | 5.1/3.9 | 125/181W |
| i5-13600KF | 6 (12) | 8 | 3.5/2.6 | 5.1/3.9 | 125/181W |
For the Raptor Lake generation, as for the Alder lake generation, the supported socket is the [LGA1700](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_1700).
List of Raptor lake chipsets:
| feature | b760[^7] | h770[^8] | z790[^9] |
|-----------------------------|----------|----------|----------|
| P and E cores over clocking | no | no | yes |
| memory over clocking | yes | yes | yes |
| DMI 4 lanes | 4 | 8 | 8 |
| chipset PCIe 5.0 lanes | | | |
| chipset PCIe 4.0 lanes | | | |
| chipset PCIe 3.0 lanes | | | |
| SATA 3.0 ports | up to 4 | up to 8 | up to 8 |
#### Alder Lake (12th generation)
Alder lake is an hybrid architecture, featuring both P-cores (performance cores) and E-cores (efficient cores). P-cores are based on the [Golden Cove](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Cove) architecture, while the E-cores are based on the [Gracemont](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gracemont_(microarchitecture)) architecture.
This is a [good article](https://www.anandtech.com/show/16881/a-deep-dive-into-intels-alder-lake-microarchitectures/2) to read about this model. Inside the processor there's a microcontroller that monitors what each thread is doing. This can be used by the OS scheduler to hint on which core a thread should be scheduled on (between performance or efficiency).
As of December 2021 this is not yet properly supported by the Linux kernel.
Available processors:
| model | p-cores | e-cores | GHz (base) | GHz (boosted) | TDP |
|------------|---------|---------|------------|---------------|------|
| i9-12900K | 8 (16) | 8 | 3.2/2.4 | 5.1/3.9 | 241W |
| i9-12900KF | 8 (16) | 8 | 3.2/2.4 | 5.1/3.9 | 241W |
| i7-12700K | 8 (16) | 4 | 3.6/2.7 | 4.9/3.8 | 190W |
| i7-12700KF | 8 (16) | 4 | 3.6/2.7 | 4.9/3.8 | 190W |
| i5-12600K | 6 (12) | 4 | 3.7/2.8 | 4.9/3.6 | 150W |
| i5-12600KF | 6 (12) | 4 | 3.7/2.8 | 4.9/3.6 | 150W |
- support DDR4 and DDR5 (up to DDR5-4800)
- support PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 (16 PCIe 5.0 and 4 PCIe 4.0)
For the Alder Lake generation, the supported socket is the [LGA1700](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_1700).
For now only supported chipset for Alder Lake are:
| feature | z690[^1] | h670[^2] | b660[^3] | h610[^4] | q670[^6] | w680[^5] |
|-----------------------------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
| P and E cores over clocking | yes | no | no | no | no | yes |
| memory over clocking | yes | yes | yes | no | - | yes |
| DMI 4 lanes | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 |
| chipset PCIe 4.0 lanes | up to 12 | up to 12 | up to 6 | none | | |
| chipset PCIe 3.0 lanes | up to 16 | up to 12 | up to 8 | 8 | | |
| SATA 3.0 ports | up to 8 | up to 8 | 4 | 4 | up to 8 | up to 8 |
### Xeon
Xeon is the brand of Intel processor designed for non-consumer servers and workstations. The most recent generations are:
| name | availability |
|-----------------|--------------|
| Skylake | 2015 |
| Cascade lake | 2019 |
| Cooper lake | 2022 |
| Sapphire rapids | 2023 |
The following brand identifiers are used:
- platinium
- gold
- silver
- bronze
## AMD
### Ryzen
There are multiple generation for this brand of processors. They are based on the [zen micro architecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_(microarchitecture)).
The current (as of January 2023) generation is Ryzen 7000.
The brand modifiers are:
- ryzen 3: entry level
- ryzen 5: mainstream
- ryzen 9: high end performance
- ryzen 9: enthusiast
List of suffixes:
| suffix | meaning |
|--------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| X | high performance |
| G | integrated graphics |
| T | power optimized lifecycle |
| S | low power desktop with integrated graphics |
| H | high performance mobile |
| U | standard mobile |
| M | low power mobile |
| 3D | feature [3D V-cache technology](https://www.amd.com/en/technologies/3d-v-cache) |
### EPYC
EPYC is the AMD brand of processors for the server market, based on the zen architecture. They use the [SP3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socket_SP3) socket. The EPYC processor is chipset free.
### Threadripper
The threadripper is for high performance desktop. It uses the [TR4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socket_TR4) socket. At the moment there's only one chipset that supports this process, the [X399](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AMD_chipsets#TR4_chipsets).
The threadripper based on zen3 architecture is not yet released, but it's expected to hit the market in the first half of Q1 2022.
### Sockets/Chipsets
The majority of these processors use the [AM4 socket](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socket_AM4). The threadripper line uses different sockets.
There are multiple [chipset](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socket_AM4#Chipsets) for the AM4 socket. The more advanced ones are the B550 and the X570.
The threadripper processors use the TR4, sTRX4 and sWRX8 sockets.
### Zen 3
Zen 3 was released in November 2020.
| model | cores | GHz (base) | GHz (boosted) | PCIe lanes | TDP |
|---------------|---------|------------|---------------|------------|------|
| ryzen 5 5600x | 6 (12) | 3.7 | 4.6 | 24 | 65W |
| ryzen 7 5800 | 8 (16) | 3.4 | 4.6 | 24 | 65W |
| ryzen 7 5800x | 8 (16) | 3.8 | 4.7 | 24 | 105W |
| ryzen 9 5900 | 12 (24) | 3.0 | 4.7 | 24 | 65W |
| ryzen 9 5900x | 12 (24) | 3.7 | 4.8 | 24 | 105W |
| ryzen 9 5950x | 16 (32) | 3.4 | 4.9 | 24 | 105W |
- support PCIe 3.0 and PCIe 4.0 (except for the G series)
- only support DDR4 (up to DDR4-3200)
### Zen 4
Zen 4 was released in September 2022.
- only supports DDR 5
- all desktop processors feature 28 (24 + 4) PCIe 5.0 lanes
- all desktop processors feature 2 x 4 lane PCIe interfaces (mostly for M.2 storage devices)
| model | cores | GHz (base) | GHz (boosted) | TDP |
|-----------------|---------|------------|---------------|------|
| ryzen 5 7600x | 6 (12) | 4.7 | 5.3 | 105W |
| ryzen 5 7600 | 6 (12) | 3.8 | 5.1 | 65W |
| ryzen 7 7800X3D | 8 (16) | | 5.0 | 120W |
| ryzen 7 7700X | 8 (16) | 4.5 | 5.4 | 105W |
| ryzen 7 7700 | 8 (16) | 3.8 | 5.3 | 65W |
| ryzen 9 7900 | 12 (24) | 3.7 | 5.4 | 65W |
| ryzen 9 7900X | 12 (24) | 4.7 | 5.6 | 170W |
| ryzen 9 7900X3D | 12 (24) | 4.4 | 5.6 | 120W |
| ryzen 9 7950X | 16 (32) | 4.5 | 5.7 | 170W |
| ryzen 9 7950X3D | 16 (32) | 4.2 | 5.7 | 120W |
[^1]: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/218833/intel-z690-chipset.html
[^2]: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/218831/intel-h670-chipset/specifications.html
[^3]: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/218832/intel-b660-chipset.html
[^4]: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/218829/intel-h610-chipset/specifications.html
[^5]: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/218834/intel-w680-chipset.html
[^6]: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/218827/intel-q670-chipset.html
[^7]: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/229719/intel-b760-chipset/specifications.html
[^8]: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/229720/intel-h770-chipset.html
[^9]: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/229721/intel-z790-chipset/specifications.html