Intel launches third-generation Core 'Ivy Bridge' processors
Intel has launched its Ivy Bridge processor, officially known as third-generation Core.
(Credit: Intel)
Continuing with the Core i3, i5 and i7 nomenclature, the more power-efficient chip is built on a 22 nanometre (nm) process, and is notable for its increased graphics performance compared to its previous processor architecture, codenamed Sandy Bridge. The included Intel HD Graphics 4000 silicon is a DirectX 11 part, meaning that for the first time in a long time, Intel has supported the latest version of Microsoft's standard.
Third generation Core is the first Intel architecture to use "tri-gate" 3D transistors, which Intel claims allows for plenty of head room and will satisfy Moore's law for "years to come".
Tri-gate 3D transistors, compared to earlier planar transistors.
(Credit: Intel)
The first run of compatible motherboards featuring the 7-series chipset were released in early April, and are backwards compatible with Sandy Bridge. Nine desktop processors will initially be made available for those motherboards, along with six mobile processors to be used in laptops, all-in-ones and other lower power devices.
The Z77 chipset in tandem with third-generation Core processor.
(Credit: Intel)
Sandy Bridge E and Pentium processors will remain in the market, servicing the high-end enthusiast and budget options, respectively. Low-power mobile chips, facilitating new ultrabook designs, are expected in June, coinciding with the Computex trade show in Taiwan. Intel will continue expanding its third-generation Core products as the year progresses, including dual core parts.
With the launch of Ivy Bridge mobile processors, USB 3.0 is expected to become ubiquitous. Less known is how well spread Thunderbolt will be. The 10Gbps interface is at the discretion of the vendor to include.
Desktop processors
| Part | Base frequency (GHz) |
Max Turbo Boost (GHz) |
L3 cache (MB) |
Intel HD Graphics |
Graphics max frequency (GHz) |
TDP (W) | SIPP, V-Pro, VT-d, TXT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i7 3770K | 3.5 | 3.9 | 8 | 4000 | 1.15 | 77 | No |
| Core i7 3770 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 8 | 4000 | 1.15 | 77 | Yes |
| Core i7 3770T | 2.5 | 3.7 | 8 | 4000 | 1.15 | 45 | Yes |
| Core i7 3770S | 3.1 | 3.9 | 8 | 4000 | 1.15 | 65 | Yes |
| Core i5 3570K | 3.4 | 3.8 | 6 | 4000 | 1.15 | 77 | No |
| Core i5 3550 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 6 | 2500 | 1.15 | 77 | Yes |
| Core i5 3550S | 3.0 | 3.7 | 6 | 2500 | 1.15 | 65 | Yes |
| Core i5 3450 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 6 | 2500 | 1.1 | 77 | No |
| Core i5 3450S | 2.8 | 3.5 | 6 | 2500 | 1.1 | 65 | Yes |
Mobile processors
| Part | Base frequency (GHz) |
Turbo Boost | L3 cache (MB) |
Intel HD Graphics |
Graphics max frequency (GHz) |
TDP(W) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single core (GHz) |
Dual core (GHz) |
Quad core (GHz) |
||||||
| Core i7 3920XM | 2.9 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 8 | 4000 | 1.3 | 55 |
| Core i7 3820QM | 2.7 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 8 | 4000 | 1.25 | 45 |
| Core i7 3720QM | 2.6 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 6 | 4000 | 1.25 | 45 |
| Core i7 3615QM | 2.3 | 3.3 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 6 | 4000 | 1.2 | 45 |
| Core i7 3610QM | 2.3 | 3.3 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 6 | 4000 | 1.1 | 45 |
| Core i7 3612QM | 2.1 | 3.1 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 6 | 4000 | 1.1 | 45 |
Latest comments (Add your comment)
As for mobos, we haven't traditionally covered them at CNET (although that will be changing shortly). I'd recommend checking out AnandTech and TechReport as sites we trust.
Can you please verify/elaborate on this claim, wether its supposed to be integrated in chipset or additional controller, it is not marked as optional on Intel's obtiquous block diagram which you included in your writeup
10GBe was included in the platform for the recent Xeon E5 and in Xeon form that CPU has optimisations to run it, Intel also offering 10gig as an affordable addin card but this is the first time I've heard about it and I just checked the PR documentation ?
In this case, I simply meant not all products will feature the port. Take this Z77 board for example:
http://www.gigabyte.com.au/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4192
No Thunderbolt connector whatsoever.
7-series does not have a TB controller but it is TB ready., its an additional controller. TB is too expensive/complex to integrate at the moment. Apple devices also use Intel's controller and there are a few chips they have put out already that vary in size/cost
ASUS boards have a TB_HEADER across the line. You pay $40 for a TB Controller that plugs into 4X slot and and hook up the jumper cable to the header. The onboard displayport is used for the Thunderbolt connection.
I do not think bitrate is a good way to describe TB in the storage sense and have not really heard it reffered to that way much as TB carrys different protocols eg Displayport and PCI Express.
So if a person was to use TB specifically for a hard disk then theyd be interested in what portion of the interface can be used for storage, where as the display portion is moot as they need to connect their display anyway if that makes sense.
Wether its covered here or elsewhere it is still very very early for TB and the only really pracical products are Apples CInema display and some of the multi bay NAS boxe.
Unless you need those two extra cores for application use (video encoding, 3D rendering, things like that), the 3770K makes a much better top-end choice for a gaming rig.