Deciphering Intel Core CPU Numbers

Intel's Core CPU Processor Numbering isn't obvious - there's Core i7 CPUs with 4 cores and also with 6 cores, some have dual channel RAM and some have triple channel, and then there's the i5 and i3 ranges.  And then there's the mobile variants!  FFS, can't these guys come up with something that makes *ANY* version of sense to a sane man at a quick look?

I think not - well, not since they dropped their clock speed linked CPU numbering, which made a lot of sense to a lot of sane people.

So, here's my attempt at explaining Intel CPU Numbering:  Confusing jibberish.

Now, here's a slightly more detailed attempt:

CPU Series	Model Series	# Cores	# Threads	Cache	Socket Type	Die Size	Turbo Boost	# RAM Channels
i7 Desktop Extreme	980X	6	12	12MB	FCLGA1366	32nm	Yes	3
i7 Desktop Extreme	9x5	4	8	8MB	FCLGA1366	45nm	Yes	3
i7 Desktop	9x0	4	8	8MB	FCLGA1366	45nm	Yes	3
i7 Desktop	8x0	4	8	8MB	LGA1156	45nm	Yes	2
i5 Desktop	7x0	4	4	8MB	LGA1156	45nm	Yes	2
i5 Desktop	6xy	2	4	4MB	FCLGA1156	32nm	Yes	2
i3 Desktop	5x0	2	4	4MB	FCLGA1156	32nm	No	2
i7 Mobile Extreme	920XM	4	8	8MB	PGA988	45nm	Yes	2
i7 Mobile	8x0QM	4	8	8MB	PGA988	45nm	Yes	2
i7 Mobile	7x0QM	4	8	6MB	PGA988	45nm	Yes	2
i7 Mobile	6x0	2	4	4MB	BGA1288 (620M also PGA988)	45nm	Yes	2
i5 Mobile	5x0	2	4	3MB	BGA1288, PGA988 (varies)	32nm	Yes	2
i5 Mobile	4x0	2	4	3MB	BGA1288, PGA988 (varies)	32nm	Yes	2
i3 Mobile	3x0	2	4	3MB	BGA1288, PGA988 (varies)	32nm	No	2

There are (obviously) some other differences, such as VT-d, TX and AES New instructions between the CPU models, however they *all* have VT-x - the ability to support hardware-based virtualization.  For more detailed specifications on these processors, click on the link for their CPU Series.

Regards,

The Outspoken Wookie