Ivy Bridge is the codename for the 22 nm die shrink of the Sandy Bridge CPU, which Intel plans to release for retail sale in 2012. Ivy Bridge processors will be backwards-compatible with the Sandy Bridge platform, but require a BIOS/firmware update. Intel's previously hinted that Ivy Bridge's graphical prowess could be up to 60 percent higher than the chips' sandy predecessors.
Reference:
Cole (May 27, 2011). "Ivy Bridge’s Backwards Compatibility Explained
LG Nilson (February 5, 2011). "Ivy Bridge should work in H67 and P67 motherboards"
Intel also plans a new 7-series Panther Point chipsets with Ivy Bridge that will come with integrated USB 3.0.
Reference:
Anand Lal Shimpi (June 1, 2011). "Correction: Ivy Bridge and Thunderbolt - Featured, not Integrated"
Due to having no significant obstacles during the new 3D gate development, Intel planned to begin sale of the processors to middle-men in the last quarter of 2011, with retail availability from April 2012. Intel announced production of Ivy Bridge chips in volume, in preparation for the product launch, starting in the third quarter of 2011.
Reference:
Gruener, Wolfgang (2011-10-19). "Intel to Sell Ivy Bridge Late in Q4 2011"
Shvets, Gennadiy (2011-11-24). "Launch dates of Ivy Bridge processors"
"Intel's CEO Discusses Q3 2011 Results - Earnings Call Transcript"
Barak, Sylvie (2011-10-21). "Intel Ivy Bridge CPUs may launch in March"
Features:
Ivy Bridge feature improvements from Sandy Bridge were expected to include:
Tri-gate transistor technology (less than 50% power consumption at the same performance level as 2-D planar transistors).
PCI Express 3.0 support.
Max CPU multiplier of 63 (57 for Sandy Bridge).
RAM support up to 2800MT/s in 200MHz increments.
Intel HD Graphics with DirectX 11, OpenGL 3.1, and OpenCL 1.1 support.
The built-in GPU is believed to have up to 16 execution units (EUs), compared to Sandy Bridge's maximum of 12.
The new random number generator and the RdRand instruction, which is codenamed Bull Mountain.
Intel Quick Sync Video.
DDR3L low voltage for mobile processors.
Multiple 4k video playback.
Thermal design power (TDP), according to a October 2011 leaked Intel roadmap, will come in 77/65/55/45/35W options for desktop processors, while Intel says that mobile processors will use variable TDP (for example TDP of 15W, which automatically rises to 35W when the laptop is plugged into a docking bay; with a corresponding rise in performance).
Intel's performance targets (compared to Sandy Bridge): Up to 20% increase in CPU performance. Up to 30% increase in integrated GPU performance.
CPU will be available in LGA 1155 and LGA 2011.
Reference:
Ivy Bridge (microarchitecture)
Intel Expects Ivy Bridge Microprocessors to Be 7% - 25% Faster Than Sandy Bridge
Intel's internal Ivy Bridge benchmark slides:
