10 Oct How to Check Your Intel Processor Generation on Windows

Knowing the generation of your Intel processor can be vital for a variety of reasons—whether you’re troubleshooting a problem, checking game or software compatibility, or planning a system upgrade. Fortunately, finding out your Intel CPU generation is incredibly simple on Windows, and there are several methods you can use to access this information.

In this article, we’ll explore how to check your Intel processor generation on a Windows system, along with some helpful background information on how Intel names its CPUs and why understanding your processor generation matters.

Why Processor Generation Matters

Before diving into the methods, let’s briefly look at why processor generation is so important:

• Performance: Newer generations typically offer better performance and energy efficiency.
• Software Compatibility: Some applications and games require a certain generation of CPU.
• Feature Support: New generations bring support for updated technologies such as Thunderbolt, advanced virtualization, and security improvements.
• Upgrade Planning: Knowing your current CPU helps determine if an upgrade is overdue or necessary.

Now, let’s explore the easy ways you can determine your Intel processor generation on a Windows device.

1. Using the System Information Tool

One of the simplest ways to check your processor details is through the built-in System Information tool. Here’s how:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
3. In the System Summary, look for the entry labeled Processor.

Your processor’s full name will appear on the right-hand side. For instance, it might say:

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9750H CPU @ 2.60GHz

In this example, “9750H” tells us the processor is a 9th generation Intel CPU. The first digit (after the model line) represents the generation number.

Note: For processors with four-digit numbers like in the example above, the first digit represents the generation. For newer five-digit models (e.g., i7-1165G7), the first two digits (“11”) show the generation.

2. Through Task Manager

Another quick way to see your CPU information is using Task Manager:

1. Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager, or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open it directly.
2. Click on the Performance tab.
3. Select CPU from the left-hand menu.

In the top-right corner of the CPU section, you’ll see your processor’s model. Again, the model number will indicate your processor’s generation. For example, “Intel Core i5-1135G7” denotes an 11th generation processor.

3. Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you prefer using command-line interfaces, here’s how you can check the processor generation via Command Prompt or PowerShell:

1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell (search either in the Start Menu).
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
   wmic cpu get name

The command will return something like:

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10210U CPU @ 1.60GHz

This indicates a 10th generation processor. Remember the rule: check the number after “i5-”, “i7-”, or “i9-” to identify the generation.

4. Via the Settings App (Windows 10 & 11)

Microsoft has streamlined things in recent versions of Windows, making it possible to quickly check your CPU through Settings:

1. Click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Go to System > About.
3. Under Device specifications, look for “Processor.”

This section displays the model number of your CPU, from which you can identify the generation just as outlined before.

How to Read Intel CPU Names

Intel processors follow a naming convention that can help you quickly decode specifications and generation information. Here’s a breakdown of a typical Intel processor name:

Intel Core i7-8565U

• i7: Series or performance tier (i3, i5, i7, i9).
• 8: This represents the 8th generation.
• 565: This is the SKU number, which varies by model.
• U: A processor line suffix, which tells you the category – “U” stands for ultra-low power for laptops.

Here are a few common suffixes:

• U: Power-efficient mobile processor
• H: High-performance laptop CPU
• K: Unlocked desktop processor (can be overclocked)
• F: Requires discrete GPU (no integrated graphics)
• X: Extreme edition

This naming convention can come in handy not only for identifying the generation but understanding what kind of processor you’re working with at a glance.

Bonus: Online Tools and Intel’s Website

If you’re still unsure, or want to check detailed specs, you can visit Intel’s official Processor Specifications page (Intel Ark). Here, you can search for your processor model and find comprehensive details including generation, cores, threads, cache size, graphics support, and more.

There are also third-party tools like CPU-Z, Speccy, or HWiNFO that deliver detailed hardware information in a user-friendly interface. These can be particularly helpful if you want to learn more than just the generation.

When to Consider Upgrading Your Processor

Now that you know how to find your processor generation, the next logical step might be to determine whether it’s still up to current standards. Typically, you might consider upgrading if:

• You’re using an Intel CPU from the 6th generation or older.
• You’re noticing slow performance in newer applications.
• You want support for newer connectivity options like PCIe 4.0 or Thunderbolt 4.
• Your system becomes inefficient with multitasking and high-demand workloads.

Conclusion

Checking the generation of your Intel processor in Windows is not only easy but also highly useful whether you’re just curious, selling or buying a PC, or determining upgrade options. With so many quick methods – from Task Manager to Command Prompt to built-in settings – you can find out your CPU generation in under a minute.

Understanding your CPU’s generation gives you better insight into its performance capabilities and compatibility with the latest software and hardware technologies. So the next time you’re configuring a game, comparing benchmarks, or just trying to impress your tech-savvy friend, you’ll know exactly how to find and understand what Intel silicon powers your machine.