IVb

IVB is the codename used by Intel for the Ivy Bridge family, the third generation of Intel Core processors. Released in 2012, Ivy Bridge processors are built on a 22-nanometer production process, a shrink of the prior Sandy Bridge design, and were followed by the Haswell generation.

The key architectural feature of Ivy Bridge is the introduction of 3D tri-gate transistors, which improved energy efficiency and performance per watt. The line also brought support for PCIe 3.0 and integrated USB 3.0, contributing to faster peripheral and data-path performance. In addition to CPU improvements, Ivy Bridge integrated graphics were updated to Intel HD Graphics 4000 on desktop and mobile variants, providing stronger media capabilities and better support for modern displays and gaming at lower power.

Ivy Bridge covers a broad range of CPUs, including mainstream Core i3, i5, and i7 offerings for desktops and laptops. There were also server and enthusiast derivatives, such as Ivy Bridge-EP for Xeon server platforms and Ivy Bridge-E for high-end desktop systems. The mobile and desktop chips typically shared the same 22 nm process node and implemented similar virtualization and security features found in the prior generation, while offering better overall performance and efficiency.

In the market lifecycle, Ivy Bridge was succeeded by the Haswell microarchitecture, which continued the trend of improving performance-per-watt and feature integration, while maintaining compatibility with the 7-series chipsets and related platforms. IVB is often noted for delivering meaningful efficiency gains and substantial integrated graphics enhancements for its time.