If you’ve been shopping for a new PC recently, you’ve probably been trying to decode Intel’s CPU naming system.  It just so happens that Intel’s newest system for determining the most appropriate CPU for your new computer is pretty hilarious.

Some people have commented to me on how it’s impossible to tell which is the best just by the name.  If you’re not keeping current, you might not be able to make heads or tails of something like “Core 2 Duo” or “Celery Dual Core Inside” (okay, okay, I made that last one up).

The problem is: Intel’s branding has never been stellar.  Does anyone remember Intel’s 80386? 486? 486/66? Pentium MMX?  They’ve always had problems trying to convey processor performance and capabilities.  Megahertz, and later Gigahertz, were a somewhat useful way to determine which was the best bang-for-the-buck, but anyone who kept current on Tom’s Hardware can tell you, that wasn’t always the best indicator of performance anyways.

At least Intel’s zombie food motif is amusing, and somewhat informative.

Filed under: General, Hardware