Intel Architecture and Processor Identification With CPUID Model and Family Numbers

This article is intended to aid software developers in understanding the "big picture" of Intel's recent architecture and processor releases. The "tick tock" model adds predictability to the Intel® architecture roadmap. However within each "tick" and "tock" architecture, multiple processors are launched to support the many diverse computing needs of consumers. While the general Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) and feature set within a given architecture are identical, certain model specific variations occur, and are generally enumerated through CPUID interrogation[1]. The CPUID model number is a convenient way of anticipating the model specific functionality that is available at runtime and subsequently designing the architecture specific parts of software (nevertheless, at runtime, the feature bits in the CPUID should always be verified before use).

The information in the table below is composed from the "Intel® Processor Identification and the CPUID Instruction" and the official Intel product information source.

For identifying a particular processor, please use the Intel® Processor Identification Utility for Microsoft Windows* operating systems or the bootable version for other operating systems[2].

Notes

• The -EP suffix denotes a Dual Processor, meaning this processor is designed to operate in a Dual Processor platform (but can still operate in a Single Processor platform). The -EX suffix denotes a Multi-Processor (MP), meaning this processor is designed to operate in a Multiprocessor platform, but can still operate in a Single or Dual processor platform configuration.
• The Family number is an 8-bit number derived from the processor signature by adding the Extended Family number (bits 27:20) and the Family number (bits 11:8). See section 5.1.2.2 of the "Intel Processor Identification and the CPUID Instruction".
• The Model number is an 8 bit number derived from the processor signature by shifting the Extended Model number (bits 19:16) 4 bits to the left and adding the Model number (bits 7:4) . See section 5.1.2.2 of the "Intel Processor Identification and the CPUID Instruction".

Mainline Architectures and Processors

This table includes the mainline processors on 90nm and later process technology. Please read and understand these important disclaimers prior to use.

Atom™ Architectures and Processors

This table includes the Atom™ processors on 45nm and later process technology. Please read and understand these important disclaimers prior to use.

Disclaimers

Information in this article is intended as a convenient summary of the contents of the "Intel® Processor Identification and the CPUID Instruction" application note and the official Intel® product information source.

In case of discrepancy, the information in the original application note and product information source supersede the contents of this article. (Please notify the author of any such discrepancy).

Please consult Section 2: Usage Guidelines of the "Intel® Processor Identification and the CPUID Instruction" for the proper use of CPUID.

Intel® processor numbers are not a measure of performance. Processor numbers differentiate features within each processor family, not across different processor families. See http://www.intel.com/products/processor_number for details.

All information provided is subject to change at any time, without notice. Intel may make changes to manufacturing life cycle, specifications, and product descriptions at any time, without notice. The information herein is provided "as-is" and Intel does not make any representations or warranties whatsoever regarding accuracy of the information, nor on the product features, availability, functionality, or compatibility of the products listed. Please contact system vendor for more information on specific products or systems.

[1] For an example of interrogating CPUID to verify features please read Using CPUID to Detect the presence of SSE 4.1 and SSE 4.2 Instruction Sets

[2] In Linux*-based operating systems you can type ‘cat /proc/cpuinfo' to obtain the processor family and model numbers (note they are formatted in decimal, while the tables in this article containhexadecimal formatting of these numbers).