Intel to dump numbering scheme, start new one

INTEL IS ABOUT TO DO a very good thing and dump its currently rancid naming scheme. But the problem is that the next one makes little, if any sense more.

The old new one, seemingly designed to confuse people so you couldn't compare features, looks to have been somewhat improved but now it's as clear as dirty water rather than mud. The scheme hasn't been fully fleshed out, but we would expect it to change quite a bit before it comes out next January or so.

The newer system uses letters and numbers in the form X00, the first letter being the the class differentiator, the first number most likely being the family, the second being speed, and the two trailing zeros add '1337'-ness.

Yonah could well be the first to get the treatment, and it appears as if it will be dubbed the x1x00 series. The normal processors will be labelled T1x00, low voltage will be L1x00 and ULV models will be U1x00. Got that? But the situation will become more confused when the Merom family of cores is launched. Merom itself is another T', but the second number is either a 4 or 6, and I have no idea what the difference is, speed is the next number. Possibly cores, but who knows.

For the desktop, Conroe will get the dreaded S moniker, and it seems all the Conroe variants will stick with the same letter. Higher variants will get higher numbers, capping out at 5 for Conroe. One source said Allendale will be a 2, another denied that. Either way, look for S5x00 for this line with others to follow.

The x could stand for anything, and we suspect that Intel is not going to pin that down exactly until the launch speeds are a little more solid. There are 10 choices so don't expect too much of a surprise. There seems to be none of the dreaded +1 of the current scheme, where a xx2 on one series could mean a completely different meaning from the same chip one speed, but one bin lower. Shudder.

At the last Intel Developer Forum, we had a pleasant(1) chat with some Intel marketing folks about naming conventions. Their take was 'if you think you are so smart, come up with a better one'. It has to be descriptive of the line, speed, functionality, and anything else they might add on. Not an easy task to be sure. Our suggestion to throw names like that out seemed to go down about as well as our highly offensive t-shirts that no one noticed(2), so that one is right out.

That brings me to you. dear readers. Here's a contest with two winners given that there are enough entries. The categories are 'Serious' and 'Not Serious', and it is up to you to come up with a new naming scheme for the upcoming Intel chips. The same entry can win both categories if we feel it is appropriate.

Now, if you win, you get nothing unless someone wants to sponsor this, but right now, don't expect much other than getting your letter printed. Judging is entirely subjective, and entries are just as likely to win because of font choice as they are content. Actually, we will put a little more into it, and entries will be closed in a week. Have at thee, knaves, knavesses and scoundrels. µ

(1) Sorry guys and girls, I had no idea why you were so snippy then. If it makes you feel any better, I understand now. Drinks are on me next time.
(2) It was the one with the anthromorphic teabag and the army men shooting each other.