Have you heard about Intel’s new powerful processors that came out this year? Take some time to familiarize yourself with some of the details during Intel gamer days. That’s right, Intel gamer days are here again with great savings on Intel powered laptops and desktop computers that’ll make everything you do go more smoothly: school, work, and especially gaming! Learn some facts about Intel’s new processors, then enter for a chance to win an amazing Intel powered laptop.

Which Intel processor will you choose

Shopping for a laptop isn’t easy for most of us. Part of the problem is that Best Buy has an incredibly large selection. A good first step is to read the Laptop buying guide and narrow down your choices a little. You can also narrow it down by deciding what kind of processor you want: on the Best Buy laptops page you will see a set of facets on the left hand side of the page for processor type. If you want one of the new Intel processors, then you would select one with “Intel” at the beginning. After that, you’ll want to choose the processor that matches your needs and budget. Here is a short primer that should help:

  1. i5 vs i7 vs i9: this is the first main differentiator for Intel processors where a higher number means better performance and usually a higher price too. If you are doing basic computing tasks (for work or school) and play simple games then an i5 may be perfect for your needs and will likely save you some money. If you want a laptop capable of playing complex games, processing large video files, or other demanding tasks then pay a little extra for a machine with a higher numbered processor.
  2. 11th gen vs 12th gen: as with most technologies, newer will be faster and more versatile. This is especially true for Intel processors released this year. We discussed the 11th generation processors in last year’s Intel gamer days article. They are still amazing processors, capable of handling the most complex tasks and demanding games very well. This year Intel released a major leap in processor design with the 12th gen processor as we discussed in an article last spring. Read that article and you’ll understand why “11 is good, but 12 is a lot better.” Again, if you want to save money, then last year’s model will be excellent for your needs. If you want maximum flexibility and performance then you’ll be leaning toward the newest models.
  3. H vs K vs HK: Intel model numbers have a suffix and two of the most important ones for fast laptops are H and K. H means the processor is optimized for high performance in laptops. Most of the fastest laptops have this suffix. The other suffix, K, is especially useful for very serious gamers or computing enthusiasts who want to push their machines to their absolute limits. The K means the processor is unlocked, and can be configured to go beyond the fastest specifications set by the manufacturer: the term for this is overclocking. People who desire an extra edge in gaming, or want to process very demanding computing task will often turn to a K processor.

What questions do you have about Intel processors

Those three points above will likely help most computer buyers but I know they won’t answer all of your questions. Intel actually has a quite a range of processors and it can be confusing. One of the things I hope you get out of Intel gamers days is a little more knowledge that will help you make a more informed decision on your next laptop purchase. As such, the methods of entry for this contest are designed to help. And just by asking or answering a question below, you’ll have a chance to win a great prize from one of the sponsors of this contest. Carefully read the instructions below for the best chance. You never know, you might win one of these four amazing laptops.

We will also give away a digital code for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (PC) to each prize winner because from August 25th, you will also receive a copy of the game if you purchase a qualifying device equipped with Intel i7 or i9 processor at Best Buy!

How to enter

Entering this contest is easy and you can enter in two different ways

  1. In comment below, help our readers learn about Intel processor by either
    1. asking a question about one thing you don’t understand about Intel processors; or
    2. answering a question that someone else posted in these comments about Intel processors; or
    3. telling us one thing you just learned about Intel processors that you think is interesting.
  2. For up to two (2) additional entries, create a public post on a social media channel (one entry per channel!) sharing with your friends and followers one thing you like about Intel Core 12th Gen processors; include the hashtag #BbyIntelgamerdaysContest, so we can find your post, and include one of the pictures showing on this article. Then return here and tell us in a comment below on which channel you posted it and the name of your channel (since many people use pseudonyms) so that we can check and verify your entry. You can use any two social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.), but the post must be public so we can verify it is there.

What you can win

At the end of this contest we will randomly select four winners from all eligible entries to win one of these prize bundles: HP OMEN 16″ gaming laptop and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (PC), Acer Nitro 5 15.6″ gaming laptop and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (PC), Dell Alienware m15 R7 15.6″ gaming laptop and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (PC), Gigabyte Aero 16 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (PC).

This contest runs from August 25th until Sept 4th. 

Remember you can enter in two different ways. Everyone needs a great computer so you know many people who would benefit from the information in this article, and would love to win a new Intel powered laptop. Share this article with all your friends and family!

Win a laptop during Intel Gamer Days Contest Rules and Regulations

Good Luck

Martin Renaud
Martin Renaud
Editor in Chief
Martin loves working with the talented editors and writers on the Best Buy Blog as Editor-in-Chief. During his spare time he is either working on his next novel, cooking up a masterpiece in the kitchen, or adding some smart tech to his new home on Mayne Island in British Columbia.
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651 COMMENTS

  7. I learned that the Suffix K means the processor is unlocked and allow for even faster performance, i.e. “overclocking”.

  8. I learned that the Suffix K means the processor is unlocked and is capable for higher performance, “overclocking”.

  12. @Larry Buy a AMD processor its cheaper and better performance for the money,
    Intel is like Apple you are paying for the name not the performance.

  17. I learned about the meaning of certain letters pertaining to the laptops’ processors. The letter H means high performance. Most of these laptops are amongst the fastest. The letter K means the processor is unlocked, making it easier for gamers to push thier laptop to its limits. They are perfect for gamers like myself who like to upgrade their machines. All of the laptops in this giveaway are a gamer’s dream. I would cross more fingers if I had more. Thank you for the amazing giveaway!

  20. If H is optimized for high performance and K allows overclocking – does that mean that HK or K is generally better for achieving the highest res & highest frame rates?

  22. I learned about H and K. H means the processor is optimized for high performance in laptops. Most of the fastest laptops have this suffix. The other suffix, K, is especially useful for very serious gamers or computing enthusiasts who want to push their machines to the limit.

  24. H vs K vs HK: Intel model numbers have a suffix and two of the most important ones for fast laptops are H and K. H means the processor is optimized for high performance in laptops.

    • Any of the U series have the lowest TDP of Intel processors, so it “can” produce the least amount of heat for an Intel CPU.

  26. Interesting to learn the distinction between the H an K suffix on Intel processor. Now I won’t be making mistakes on purchasing if I’m looking for performance.

  28. Do the e cores and the p cores on Intel 12th generation processors work optimally for Linux or non Windows based Operating Systems?

    • Other OSes must be optimized to handle the e & p cores. Intel launched the 12th gen with a driver for Windows which was incorporated into W10. As newer Linux kernel versions are incorporated into newer versions of various Linux distros, Linux will properly support 12th gen, but currently it’s a mixed bag. For other OSes, ask the developers.

  32. What is the best line of Intel processors for gaming?
    new devices
    I learned about H and K. H means the processor is optimized for high performance in laptops. Most of the fastest laptops have this suffix.

  33. A little history for you: Back in 1971, Intel launched the world’s first electronically programmable microprocessor, the 4004!

  35. Because of this article I will consider the i9 processor when I get a gaming laptop for my son on Christmas

  36. I didn’t realize that the suffix H means the processor is optimized for high performance in laptops and the suffix K means the processor is unlocked.

    • The best line in terms of raw performance is gonna be the newest 12th-gen i9 one, preferably overclockable. But what’s best for you also depends on your budget and what types of games you play.

  38. So this blog post explains that the suffix H means the processor is optimized for high performance in laptops and the suffix K means the processor is unlocked. What are the other suffixes and what do they mean? For example, I’ve noticed suffixes of E, F, S, T, and X. What do they mean? Are there any others? Thanks.

  41. Intel model number suffixes was interesting. It gives me a new tool to better fit my needs/ wants when computer shopping.

    • Splitting up the workload helps the operating system be efficient under many types of workloads. p cores can help with heavy duty operations (gaming, rendering, compiling, etc) while less intensive operations (background operations like indexing files on your storage, moving things in and out of memory, etc) utilize e cores.

      That distinction is helpful so the processors don’t get too weighted in one specific process and get overloaded when a more even distribution of tasks using different core types can help provide a more stable/smooth experience.

  44. The suffix in the naming scheme is certainly interesting. Did not know there are K versions for laptop cpus, guess there are not that many laptops with those cpus.

  47. This was new to me Intel model numbers have a suffix and two of the most important ones for fast laptops are H and K. Didn’t realize this.

  48. Hello, the original name of Intel is NM Electronics. Named after the founders, Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore. Later they bought the name from Intelco and shorten it.

  50. I learned about H and K. H means the processor is optimized for high performance in laptops. Most of the fastest laptops have this suffix. The other suffix, K, is especially useful for very serious gamers or computing enthusiasts who want to push their machines to the limit.

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