Since the mid-90’s with the P6 micro-architecture for the Pentium Pro as the sixth-generation x86 microarchitecture, Intel has relied on the “Family 6” CPU ID. From there Intel has just revved the Model number within Family 6 for each new microarchitecture/core. For example, Meteor Lake is Family 6 Model 170 and Emerald Rapids is Family 6 Model 207. This CPU ID identification is used within the Linux kernel and other operating systems for identifying CPU generations for correct handling, etc. But Intel Linux engineers today disclosed that Family 6 is coming to an end “soon-ish”.
↫ Michael Larabel
They should revive the ix86 family name, and call the next generation i786. It sounds so much cooler, even if these names have become rather irrelevant.
Not all x86 uarchs since P6 have been part of the 6th family:
All Netburst P4/Xeons belong to family 15 (0F in hex)
Larrabee/Xeon Phi was family 11 (0B in hex)
Lakemont/Quark went back to family 5 (05 in hex)
So the next family would be 10 (hex).
Yes. (16 in decimal)
I have no idea what rhyme and reason Intel has used behind their CPU Ids, in terms of main family at least. But then again, Intel branding never makes any sense.