3rd Generation Intel Core Processor – New CPU for 2012

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June 8, 2012 1:49 PM
Buying Guide

In April 2012, Intel announced the full-scale production of its new 3rd generation Core processor line. The processors, codenamed “Ivy Bridge” by Intel, contain numerous enhancements for the preceding CPU line, “Sandy Bridge.” Intel offers three variants of the Ivy Bridge CPU line: Core i3, i5, and i7, each with their own subtypes and corresponding models. Core i3 is often touted as the budget processor for the fiscally-minded consumer, whereas i5 and i7 are targeted toward the mainstream customer and the enthusiasts respectively.

Intel’s 3rd generation Core processors introduce a number of new technologies alongside improvements for previous ones:

Based on a 22-nanometer manufacturing process, Ivy Bridge delivers better performance with lower power requirements. Turbo Boost provides a boost in power when you need it by dynamically increasing the frequency of the processor. Intel’s famed Hyper Threading provides two processor threads per physical core, thus allowing the computer to complete many different tasks in tandem.

A host of other new features come packed with every new 3rd generation Core processor, including built-in visual processing, virtualization, and thermal solution. At the low level, Intel’s new 3D transistor technology revolutionizes the industry by providing low-power performance enhancements. Are you an enthusiast?

If so, you should consider purchasing an Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition processor. Gamers, content creators, and professionals should take heed.

The 3rd generation Intel Core i7 Extreme CPU’s come packed with an array of powerful features including Turbo Boost, Hyper Threading, Quick Sync Video, and HD graphics on-board. DirectX 11 support gives you the capability to play the latest and greatest games on the market. Whether you want to encode media or play the latest 3D game, the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition processor will not disappoint.

How does Ivy Bridge stack up to the latest AMD Accelerated Processing Unit (CPU + GPU) architecture, codenamed “Piledriver?” Although the benchmarks for Piledriver have yet to be released, “Bulldozer”, the previous CPU line from AMD, failed to compete with Intel’s Sandy Bridge.

In other words, you can rest assured that a 3rd generation Intel Core processor, regardless of its designation, will be able to compete with or outmatch anything comparable which AMD has to throw at it.

Though Ivy Bridge offers fewer physical cores on average than AMD’s architecture, Intel CPU’s have vastly superior performance. For instance, in the latest round of benchmarks, the AMD FX-8150 consistently underperformed against the newest Intel chips, even with its 8 cores and faster clock rate.

From encoding to game-playing, Intel chips have proven their worth against the fastest chips in AMD’s arsenal, the AMD FX processor line. Why should you purchase a computer with the new 3rd generation Intel Core processors?

If you value bleeding-edge performance, impressive power efficiency, and a company that is going places, you should invest in a machine with a 3rd generation Intel Core processor or build your own with the new chipsets available from Intel.

Ivy Bridge is also backwards-compatible with most Sandy Bridge chipsets with an associated firmware update. So, if you purchased an Intel-based motherboard a few months ago, more likely than not it supports the new 3rd generation processors. Whether you are on a tight budget, building a mainstream machine, or seeking the fastest and most intense game-playing experience on the planet, there is an Intel Core processor that meets your needs.