Every computer has a processor, and the quality of that processor is a big part of what determines the overall quality of the machine. Intel’s i7 processors are some of the best available, but not all i7 processors are created equal.
The goal of this post is to show you how to find out which generation your Intel i7 processor is so you can get a better understanding of what kind of power you have under the hood of your PC. With this information in hand, you’ll be able to make better decisions about what hardware upgrades to make next. Let’s get started!
How Can You Find Out The Generation of Your i7 Processor
To find out which generation your Intel i7 processor is, open up Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard simultaneously. Once Task Manager opens, select the Performance tab:
Now locate the Processor line item and look at the number in parentheses following it. This number indicates which generation your Intel processor is – for example, my laptop has an Intel i7-4700MQ CPU, so its generation would be 4th Generation.
If you have any questions or comments about this tutorial, please leave them in the comment section below! We always love hearing from our readers.
Intel CPU Generations
The table below shows the different Intel CPU generations and their corresponding release years:
- 1st Generation – 1978
- 2nd Generation – 1982
- 3rd Generation – 1984
- 4th Generation – 2013
- 5th Generation – 2015
- 6th Generation – 2017
- 7th Generation – 2018
- 8th Generation – 2020
As you can see, the 4th generation is the most recent release, while the 8th generation is set to come out in 2020. If you have an Intel i7 processor from any other generation, it’s likely that it isn’t as powerful as the latest release. However, this doesn’t mean that your processor is bad – it just means that newer models have been released since then.
If you have any questions or comments about this tutorial, please leave them in the comment section below! We always love hearing from our readers.
What is my Processor? (alternate way)
If you want to know the name and model number of your processor, you can do so by opening up the System Information window. To do this, press the Windows key + R on your keyboard simultaneously to open the Run dialog box. Then, type “msinfo32” into the box and press Enter:
Once the System Information window opens, locate the Processor line in the left-hand column and look at the name and model number listed next to it:
As you can see, my processor is an Intel Core i7-4790K CPU. This is a 4th generation processor that was released in 2014.
Core Processor Generation
The table below shows the different Intel Core Processor generations and their corresponding release years:
- 1st Generation – 2006
- 2nd Generation – 2010
- 3rd Generation – 2012
- 4th Generation – 2014
- 5th Generation – 2016
- 6th Generation – 2018
- 7th Generation – 2020
- 8th Generation – 2022
- 9th Generation – 2024
Read Also : AMD vs Intel Processor
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a few different ways to determine which generation your Intel processor is. By using either Task Manager or the System Information window, you should be able to find this information quickly and easily. Once you know which generation your processor is, you can then decide if upgrading to a newer model is right for you. Thanks for reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will upgrading to a newer generation processor improve my computer’s performance?
In most cases, yes. Newer generation processors are usually faster and more powerful than older ones. However, there are always exceptions to this rule, so it’s best to do your research before making any decisions.
I’m not sure which generation my processor is. How can I find out?
The easiest way to find out which generation your processor is, is to open up Task Manager and look at the number in parentheses next to the Processor line item. Alternatively, you can also open up the System Information window to find this information.
Do I need to upgrade my processor if I want to play the latest games?
It depends. If you’re happy with the performance of your current processor and don’t want to spend the money on an upgrade, then you don’t need to. However, if you feel like your processor is holding you back and you want to get the most out of your gaming experience, then upgrading to a newer generation i7 processor would be a good idea.
Will a newer generation i7 processor fit in my current motherboard?
It’s possible, but not guaranteed. You would need to check your motherboard’s compatibility with the processors of the generation you’re interested in upgrading to.
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