Intel Desktop Processor Generations, from 1st Gen Core to Core Ultra

Intel has released multiple generations of desktop processors under the Intel Core brand. The traditional desktop lineup included Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9 processors, with the generation identified by the number in the processor model.

The traditional Intel Core desktop lineup reached the 14th generation with Raptor Lake Refresh in 2023. In 2024, Intel introduced Core Ultra desktop processors, starting a new naming system instead of continuing with a 15th-generation Core designation. The first desktop Core Ultra processors were the Core Ultra 200S series, based on the Arrow Lake-S architecture.

Intel Core Desktop Processor Generations

The first-generation Core desktop processors based on Nehalem appeared in 2008. Intel subsequently introduced Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge, Haswell, Broadwell, Skylake, and Kaby Lake. Later generations included Coffee Lake, Comet Lake, Rocket Lake, Alder Lake, Raptor Lake, and Raptor Lake Refresh.

Some generations included different architectures or refreshes within the same generation. For example, 8th-generation desktop processors included Kaby Lake Refresh and Coffee Lake products, while the 10th-generation desktop family was based on Comet Lake.

The 12th-generation Alder Lake desktop processors introduced Intel’s hybrid architecture, combining Performance-cores (P-cores) and Efficient-cores (E-cores). Raptor Lake followed as the 13th generation, while the 14th generation used an updated Raptor Lake architecture.

Intel Core Ultra Desktop Processors

Intel changed its naming system with the introduction of Core Ultra desktop processors. The first desktop models were launched as Intel Core Ultra 200S Series 2 processors in October 2024. The lineup included Core Ultra 9, Core Ultra 7, and Core Ultra 5 desktop processors.

Core Ultra 200S processors are based on the Arrow Lake-S architecture. Intel does not officially call these processors 15th-generation Core processors. They belong to Core Ultra Series 2.

Intel later expanded the desktop Series 2 lineup with additional processors and introduced the Core Ultra 200S Plus desktop processors in 2026. For Intel desktop processors, the naming sequence therefore changes after the 14th generation:

1st Gen through 14th Gen Intel Core → Core Ultra Series 2

The Core Ultra Series 2 is the current generation of Core Ultra processors in Intel’s desktop processor lineup. The Core Ultra Series 1 and Series 3 are not part of this desktop processor lineup. These series were released exclusively for laptops.

Intel Desktop Processor Generations

Intel has released multiple generations of desktop Core processors since the first-generation Core family appeared in 2008. The table below shows the main Intel desktop processor generations, representative Core i3, i5, i7, and i9 models, and their launch periods.