In 2012, Intel released Ivy Bridge, a third-generation Core processor that brought significant improvements in performance, power consumption, and integrated graphics. It was a major milestone in the evolution of computing, but the tech world was eager to know: what came after Ivy Bridge? In this article, we’ll delve into the subsequent developments that shaped the landscape of computer processors and explore the innovations that followed.
The Successor: Haswell (4th Generation Core Processors)
Released in 2013, Haswell was the fourth-generation Core processor from Intel, succeeding Ivy Bridge. This new architecture marked a significant shift towards power efficiency, performance, and integration. Haswell processors boasted improved CPU and GPU performance, while also reducing power consumption by up to 50%. This was achieved through various advancements, including:
FinFET Transistors
Haswell introduced FinFET (Fin Field-Effect Transistor) technology, which replaced traditional planar transistors. FinFETs allowed for improved transistor density, reduced leakage, and increased performance at lower voltages.
Silvermont Microarchitecture
The Silvermont microarchitecture, used in Haswell’s CPU core, provided a 20% increase in instructions per clock (IPC) compared to Ivy Bridge. This led to improved single-threaded performance and better multi-threading capabilities.
Intel Iris Graphics
Haswell’s integrated graphics, now branded as Intel Iris, offered significant improvements in GPU performance. The top-of-the-line Iris Pro 5200 boasted up to 128 execution units, a 2x increase over Ivy Bridge’s HD 4000.
Other Notable Features
Haswell processors also introduced:
- DDR3L (Low Voltage DDR3) memory support, reducing power consumption and increasing memory bandwidth.
- Lynx Point chipset, providing improved USB 3.0 and SATA Express support.
- Enhanced Power Management, with features like Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) and CPU-only dynamic voltage adjustment.
The Next Step: Broadwell (5th Generation Core Processors)
In 2014, Intel released Broadwell, the fifth-generation Core processor. This architecture built upon Haswell’s advancements, focusing on further power efficiency and performance improvements. Key features of Broadwell processors included:
14nm Process Node
Broadwell processors utilized Intel’s 14nm process node, a significant shrink from Haswell’s 22nm node. This reduction in size led to improved transistor density, reduced power consumption, and increased performance.
Sky Lake’s Microarchitecture
Although Broadwell’s CPU core microarchitecture was largely based on Haswell’s Silvermont, it did incorporate some improvements, such as enhanced branch prediction and improved instruction-level parallelism.
Intel Iris Graphics 6100
Broadwell’s integrated graphics, now rebranded as Intel Iris Graphics 6100, offered up to 48 execution units, a 25% increase over Haswell’s Iris Pro 5200.
Other Notable Features
Broadwell processors also introduced:
- PCIe 3.0 support, enabling faster storage and peripherals.
- DP 1.2 and eDP 1.4 support, allowing for higher-resolution displays and increased pixel density.
- Enhanced security features, including Intel’s Device Protection Technology (DPT) and Software Guard Extensions (SGX).
The Quantum Leap: Skylake (6th Generation Core Processors)
Released in 2015, Skylake marked a significant departure from Intel’s traditional tick-tock development model. Instead of focusing solely on process node shrinks, Skylake introduced a new microarchitecture, major platform changes, and innovative technologies.
Sky Lake Microarchitecture
Skylake’s CPU core microarchitecture brought substantial improvements in IPC, with a reported 10-20% increase over Broadwell. This was achieved through various enhancements, including:
- Improved branch prediction and increased out-of-order execution.
- Wider execution pipeline, allowing for more instructions to be executed per clock cycle.
- Enhanced hyper-threading, improving multi-threading performance.
Gen9 Graphics
Skylake’s integrated graphics, now branded as Intel HD Graphics 520, featured significant improvements, including:
- Gen9 graphics architecture, offering up to 72 execution units, a 50% increase over Broadwell’s Iris Graphics 6100.
- Improved GPU frequency scaling, allowing for higher clock speeds and better performance.
Dramidios and Sunrises: New Platforms and Innovations
Skylake also introduced several platform-level innovations, including:
- DDR4 memory support, offering higher bandwidth and lower power consumption.
- USB 3.1 Gen 2, doubling USB transfer speeds to 10 Gbps.
- Thunderbolt 3, enabling faster storage, display, and Ethernet connectivity.
- Skylake’s platform controller hub (PCH), providing improved power management and peripheral support.
The Future Beyond Ivy Bridge
As we’ve seen, the journey beyond Ivy Bridge has been marked by significant advancements in power efficiency, performance, and integration. The successor architectures, Haswell, Broadwell, and Skylake, have built upon each other’s strengths, driving innovation and progress in the world of computer processors.
As we look to the future, Intel continues to push the boundaries of technology, with ongoing developments in areas like AI, machine learning, and quantum computing. The roadmap beyond Skylake has already seen the release of Kaby Lake, Coffee Lake, and Ice Lake processors, each bringing their own set of improvements and innovations.
One thing is certain – the pursuit of efficiency, performance, and integration will continue to drive the evolution of computer processors, shaping the future of computing and beyond.
| Processor Generation | Process Node (nm) | CPU Core Microarchitecture | Integrated Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy Bridge (3rd Gen) | 22 | Sandy Bridge | HD 4000 |
| Haswell (4th Gen) | 22 | Silvermont | Iris Pro 5200 |
| Broadwell (5th Gen) | 14 | Silvermont (modified) | Iris Graphics 6100 |
| Skylake (6th Gen) | 14+ | Sky Lake | HD Graphics 520 |
Note: The + symbol in the process node column for Skylake indicates that the actual process node size is smaller than 14nm, but the exact size is not publicly disclosed by Intel.
What is the Ivy Bridge microarchitecture?
Ivy Bridge was the codename for the third generation of the Intel Core processors, which was released in 2012. It was a successor to the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture and was manufactured using the 22-nanometer process. Ivy Bridge was known for its improved performance and power efficiency, making it a popular choice for laptops and desktops. It was also the first microarchitecture to implement Intel’s Tri-Gate transistor technology, which allowed for a 37% increase in transistor density.
The Ivy Bridge microarchitecture was used in a wide range of processor models, from low-power Core i3 and i5 processors to high-performance Core i7 processors. It was also used in Intel’s high-end Extreme Edition processors, which offered even faster clock speeds and additional features. Overall, Ivy Bridge was an important step in the development of Intel’s microarchitectures, as it paved the way for future generations of Core processors.
What are some of the key features of the Ivy Bridge microarchitecture?
The Ivy Bridge microarchitecture introduced several key features that improved its performance and power efficiency. One of the most notable features was Intel’s Tri-Gate transistor technology, which allowed for a 37% increase in transistor density. This enabled Intel to create more powerful and efficient processors that used less power. Ivy Bridge also introduced Intel’s HD Graphics 4000, which offered improved graphics performance and support for 4K resolutions.
Ivy Bridge also introduced several other features, including support for PCIe 3.0, USB 3.0, and SATA 6Gb/s. It also offered improved Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost performance, as well as enhanced security features such as Intel’s Secure Key and Anti-Theft Technology. Overall, the Ivy Bridge microarchitecture was a major improvement over its predecessor, Sandy Bridge, and set the stage for future generations of Intel processors.
What came after Ivy Bridge?
After Ivy Bridge, Intel released the Haswell microarchitecture, which was manufactured using the 22-nanometer process. Haswell was a significant improvement over Ivy Bridge, offering improved performance, power efficiency, and integrated graphics. It was released in 2013 and was used in a wide range of processor models, from low-power Core i3 and i5 processors to high-performance Core i7 processors.
Haswell introduced several key features, including Intel’s HD Graphics 4600, which offered improved graphics performance and support for 4K resolutions. It also introduced Intel’s UltraBook and Ultratablet platforms, which were designed to enable thin and lightweight laptops and tablets. Overall, Haswell was an important step in the development of Intel’s microarchitectures, as it paved the way for future generations of Core processors.
What are some of the benefits of the Haswell microarchitecture?
The Haswell microarchitecture offered several benefits over its predecessor, Ivy Bridge. One of the most significant benefits was its improved power efficiency, which enabled Intel to create more portable and battery-efficient laptops and tablets. Haswell also offered improved performance, with a 10-15% increase in CPU performance over Ivy Bridge. Additionally, Haswell introduced several new features, including Intel’s HD Graphics 4600, which offered improved graphics performance and support for 4K resolutions.
Haswell also introduced several other benefits, including support for PCIe 3.0, USB 3.0, and SATA 6Gb/s. It also offered improved Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost performance, as well as enhanced security features such as Intel’s Secure Key and Anti-Theft Technology. Overall, the Haswell microarchitecture was a significant improvement over Ivy Bridge, and it set the stage for future generations of Intel processors.
How did Haswell improve upon Ivy Bridge?
Haswell improved upon Ivy Bridge in several ways. One of the most significant improvements was its increased power efficiency, which enabled Intel to create more portable and battery-efficient laptops and tablets. Haswell also offered improved performance, with a 10-15% increase in CPU performance over Ivy Bridge. Additionally, Haswell introduced several new features, including Intel’s HD Graphics 4600, which offered improved graphics performance and support for 4K resolutions.
Haswell also improved upon Ivy Bridge in terms of its manufacturing process. While both Ivy Bridge and Haswell were manufactured using the 22-nanometer process, Haswell introduced several new technologies that improved its power efficiency and performance. These technologies included Intel’s 3D tri-gate transistors, which allowed for a 37% increase in transistor density. Overall, Haswell was a significant improvement over Ivy Bridge, and it set the stage for future generations of Intel processors.
What came after Haswell?
After Haswell, Intel released the Broadwell microarchitecture, which was manufactured using the 14-nanometer process. Broadwell was a significant improvement over Haswell, offering improved performance, power efficiency, and integrated graphics. It was released in 2014 and was used in a wide range of processor models, from low-power Core i3 and i5 processors to high-performance Core i7 processors.
Broadwell introduced several key features, including Intel’s Iris Graphics 6100, which offered improved graphics performance and support for 4K resolutions. It also introduced Intel’s WiDi 5.0, which enabled wireless connectivity and streaming. Overall, Broadwell was an important step in the development of Intel’s microarchitectures, as it paved the way for future generations of Core processors.
What are some of the benefits of the Broadwell microarchitecture?
The Broadwell microarchitecture offered several benefits over its predecessor, Haswell. One of the most significant benefits was its improved performance, with a 5-10% increase in CPU performance over Haswell. Broadwell also offered improved power efficiency, with a 30% reduction in power consumption over Haswell. Additionally, Broadwell introduced several new features, including Intel’s Iris Graphics 6100, which offered improved graphics performance and support for 4K resolutions.
Broadwell also improved upon Haswell in terms of its manufacturing process. While Haswell was manufactured using the 22-nanometer process, Broadwell was manufactured using the 14-nanometer process, which allowed for a 37% increase in transistor density. This enabled Intel to create more powerful and efficient processors that used less power. Overall, the Broadwell microarchitecture was a significant improvement over Haswell, and it set the stage for future generations of Intel processors.