Ivy Bridge in the raw (via Intel)
Intel has recently released their new batch of Ivy Bridge processors using their new 22nm process for ultrabooks, mobile devices and desktops. These include the core i5 and i7 CPU line with the i3, Pentium and Celeron lines coming later this year (2012). All of the chips feature lower power-usage, which translates to longer battery life for the ultrabook/mobile device platforms which include the i5-3317U (clocked at 1.7GHz @ 17w), i5-3427U (clocked at 1.8GHz @ 17w), i7-3717U (clocked at 1.9GHz @17w) and i7-3667U (clocked at 2GHz @17w) for ultrabook OEM makers. Intel released four more processors that consume slightly more wattage with a greater frequency for the mobile market with the i5-3210M (clocked at 2.5GHz @ 35w), i5-3320M (clocked at 2.6GHz @ 35w), i5-3360M (clocked at 2.8GHz @ 35w) and i7-3520M (clocked at 2.9GHz @ 35w) respectively. Finally, rounding out the newly released processors are Intel’s new ‘affordable’ Ivy Bridge QC/DC CPU’s (featuring 5 quad-cores and 1 dual-core) for low-end desktops, which include i5-3470T dual-core (2.9GHz @ 35w), quad-core i5-3470S (clocked at 2.9GHz @ 65w), quad-core i5-3470 (clocked at 3.2GHz @ 77w), quad-core i5-3475S (clocked at 2.9GHz @ 65w), quad-core i5-3570S (clocked at 3.1GHz @ 65w) and the quad-core i5-3570 (clocked at 3.4GHz @ 77w). All of the newly released processors feature Intel’s new 22nm die process that use ‘Tri-Gate’ 3D transistors for processing power over the current standard planar 2D implementation.
Ivy Bridge transistor concept (via Intel)
So, what exactly are Intel’s Tri-Gate 3D transistors? Simply put; they differ from traditional planar 2D transistors by housing a single horizontal gate that’s stacked onto two vertical gates (three or more silicon fins) which allow for a greater surface area for electrons to travel. According to Intel the 3D transistor allows for better control of the gate which when in the ‘off’ state is as close to zero as possible with wider current flow (more power) in the ‘on’ state. The 3D design allows for faster switching between the two states (over 100 billion times a second). This enables the new Ivy Bridge processors to be 37% faster with a reduction of up to 50% power usage over last generation Sandy Bridge processors. To demonstrate exactly how fast these new process can go, overclocker HiCookie took his Ivy Bridge Core i7-3770K processor and overclocked it to an astounding 7.03GHz using liquid nitrogen for cooling on a Gigabyte Z77X-UD3H motherboard. This was recorded as a world's record for Ivy Bridge processors but was later defeated by Andre Yang who used the same CPU but on an ASUS MAXIMUS V Gene motherboard to achieve a top speed of 7.07GHz!
See more about the Ivy Bridge processor after this link.
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