Generations of Intel CPUs in the Past and Now

The change steps and generations of Intel processors:

• CPU could only process integers, FPU (floating point unit) was a separate unit
• FPU got integrated into CPU after
• GPU appeared as separate unit
• GPU got integrated into CPU, called on-board GPU

Now in the AI era:

• NPU appears, already now (2026) integrated into the same silicon die with CPU/FPU/GPU

Geneartions of Intel processors:

• Intel 80x86 (up to 486)
• Intel Pentium (also known as 586, last line of single core)
• Intel Core iX (Intel started to packing cores in) - i3/i5/i7/i9
• Intel Core Ultra (Now with AI power!) - Ultra 3/5/7/9

New PC, new laptop to buy? Core Ultra is the pick!