Intel's 3rd Generation Processors (Ivy Bridge Architecture)

Intel has launched its 3rd-Gen Core processor based on Ivy Bridge Architecture (22 nano-meter technology). It has some newly added features like

FIRST:  It is with a 20 percent performance boost by using 20 percent less power than last generation Sandy Bridge processors. It provides up to 37 percent more performance if we ignore the power consumption.

SECOND:  3rd Generation processors are built using 3D Tri-Gate Transistor Architecture. Its a technological advancement, fueling Moore’s Law for years to come. 3D Tri-Gate Transistor Architecture is a system to make decrement in die size with respect to the total transistors are in a small unit compared to the previous existing 2D Transistor Architecture of flat transistors model. Intel festoons the chip with raised fins in 3D figure onto the transistors are fabricated. Each fin includes three transistors in three dimensions - front, back, and top.

THIRD:  On-processor HD Graphics 4000  Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)  . It provides us upto twice the HD media and 3D graphics performance than the previous generation chips, means (as for example) if you want to convert any video then you can do twice times faster with this 3rd Generation Processors than

the previous ones. The Intel HD Graphics 4000 supports Microsoft DirectX 11, OpenGL 3.1 and OpenCL 1.1, along with Intel Quick Sync Video 2.0. Ivy Bridge GPU is clocked at 650 MHz which can be operated between 1.05GHz and 1.15GHz by boosting technology depending upon the model.

FOURTH:  The third generation Core i7 processors are integrated with 4 CPU cores, 8 MB L3 cache and have Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost technologies enabled. Hyper-Threading Technology includes extra virtual cores with the main cores (for better understanding its a rough example). Actually its allow to develop

multiple threads on each core. So, here in the case Core i7 processors are made up of 4 main cores but they acts like eight cores (4 main core + 4 virtual cores). Turbo Boost Technology is a technology that can control the cores work-load and operate them so that they can work together in a smoothly way. To do that  Turbo Boost Technology speeds up or slows down individual cores. Hence there is a smooth relation in   their performance matching and power consumption between the cores.

FIFTH:  There are also a security features - Intel Secure Key and Intel OS Guard. Previously a Digital Random Number Generator is used to create Truly Random numbers to provide strength in encryption algorithms. But in the case in Ivy Bridge Architecture OS Guard helps to protect against privilege escalation attacks and taking over the user's system by the hackers.

SIXTH:  The Ivy Bridge Architecture includes a dual-channel memory controller as its features.This type of controller works with DDR3  memory with 1333 MHz and 1600 MHz data rates.

SEVENTH:  There are also have USB 3.0 support integrated into the Series 7 Platform Controller Hub (PCH), and  PCI Express 3.0 integrated into the processors.

EIGHTH: Ivy Bridge Architecture is a 22 Nano-Meter(nm) technology whereas Penryn and Nehalem Microarchitecture are of  45nm, Westmere (one type of Nehalem Architecture), Sandy Bridge,  Sandy Bridge-E are of 32nm.