Intel Sandy Bridge vs Ivy Bridge

The terms Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge refer to lines of Intel Processors. These lines of computer processors are also termed as architectures.

Sandy Bridge

Intel introduced Sandy Bridge at the start of 2011. Sandy Bridge replaces the Nehalem architecture.

• 32 nanometer manufacturing process
• planar double-gate transistors
• Socket H2 - LGA1155
• DDR3-2133 memory speed possible

Ivy Bridge

Intel introduced Ivy Bridge in 2012 to replace the Sandy Bridge architecture. Ivy Bridge processors are backwards compatible with the Sandy Bridge platform, but such systems might require a firmware update.

• 22 nanometer manufacturing process
• FinFET ("3D") tri-gate transistors
• Socket H2 - LGA1155
• DDR3-1333 memory full support

The Ivy Bridge CPU microarchitecture is a shrink from Sandy Bridge and remains largely unchanged. The new tri-gate transistors reduce power consumption by half while offering the same performance level as 2-D planar transistors.

comparison

At a high level Ivy Bridge looks a lot like Sandy Bridge, one monolithic die incorporates up to four CPU cores, the shared L3 cache, the memory controller, PCIe links and the graphics processor. Ivy Bridge uses the Sandy Bridge architecture. Most of the changes involve power consumption reduction and size.

The processing die has been reduced in size from 32nm to 22nm. In order to achieve the reduction in size, Intel developed a new kind of 3D "Tri-Gate" transistor. Additional advancements include support for PCI Express (PCIe) 3.0 and DDR3L (low-voltage) memory, and better integrated graphics, the latter being a consideration for MythTV for Linux small system builders.

Ivy Bridge offers a nominal speed increase over Sandy Bridge, but not enough to get the attention of most users. The bigger news is the increase in graphics power. Ivy Bridge chips directly support DirectX 11 functionality, and an overall frame-rate increase.

Backwards compatibility is also worth noting since it is not something Intel is typically known for. Sandy Bridge processors will work in Ivy Bridge motherboards. You can also use an Ivy Bridge processor in most Sandy Bridge motherboards after installing a firmware upgrade. Sandy Bridge chipsets, except Q65, Q67 and B65, support both Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge CPUs through a BIOS upgrade. The firmware bios upgrade you will have to get from the manufacturer of the motherbaord. Still, it is recommended to use a motherbaord designed for Ivy Bridge if you plan to build a new system with that processor.

Ivy Bridge CPU chipsets Z75, Z77, H77, Q75, Q77 and B75 have integrated USB 3.0 support.

Single chip chipset - The design of the Core i3/i4/i5 processors eliminates the need for the traditional Northbridge found on previous generation motherboards. Intel's H67 Express Platform Controller Hub (PCH) from the Intel 6-Series "Cougar Point" family includes integration of the hard drive controller, network controller, monitor, physical interfaces, PCI3 and additional i/o functionality.

Ivy bridge will be the last cpu on the LGA 1155 socket

LGA 1155

The Socket H2 LGA 1155 is a Land Grid Array socket that replaced the LGA 1156 (known as Socket H). Processors of LGA 1155 and LGA 1156 sockets are not compatible with each other since they have different socket notches. However, cooling systems are compatible between both LGA 1155 and LGA 1156 sockets, as the processor has the same dimensions, profile and construction, and similar heat production.

The socket is known by the following names:

• Socket 1555
• Socket LGA1155
• Socket H2

The LGA1155 works with the latest generations of Intel Celeron, Pentium, Core i3/i5/i7 and Xeon desktop and server processors, that have up to 4 CPU cores, up to 8 MB of L3 cache, and operate at frequencies ranging from 1.2 GHz to 3.7 GHz.