CNET reports that Intel has made some changes to their badging system for CPU's. On top of the new logos, Intel has also introduced a new rating system for their processors. According to the image below the changes took effect April 1st.

Intel says that this is all part of their "aggressive brand simplification plan." Other than just changing the background by adding a picture of a die, the brand and modifier are also easier to distinguish, supposedly making it easier for consumers.

 

(Click the above image for the large version)

Intel has also introduced a new 5-star rating system for their processors. The ratings are based upon performance and higher is better. For those that are less than tech savvy, the chart above is meant to make it much easier for consumers to compare processors and see which is better.

Intel is in the process of moving to a "pretty aggressive brand simplification plan," Calder said. "When we launched Core i7, we said we're moving to a single primary client brand, which is Core. We're moving in that direction," he said.

The Atom processor will not get a modifier. In the future, the Nehalem server processor, currently branded only as "Xeon" with a letter and number suffix, may also get new branding to make it more readily identifiable as part of the Nehalem architecture like its desktop sibling the Core i7, Calder said.