3rd Generation Intel Core Processors (Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Ivy Bridge Processor) Review- Technology Times

Intel is also offering four low power desktop processors with the Ivy Bridge launch that have TDPs ranging from 45 to 65 Watts. It all poses quite a challenge to Intel’s main competitor in the PC processor market. The new structure enables more current to pass through when transistors are on and virtually none when it's off, so it's better for performance and power savings. Intel hopes a new transistor technology, in development for 11 years, will help it challenge Arm’s reputation for energy efficiency. The new Tri-Gate design uses less than 50% of the power as a comparable 2-d planar transistor. Intel says that due to this design the Ivy Bridge based processors are a good two- to three-years ahead of the competitors' designs in terms of performance. Intel has said that overclocking the CPU will result in higher temperatures due to the fact that with the die shrink, there is an increased thermal density; Intel at the same time stated that this is as expected and will likely not improve in future revisions.

Intel's hardware partners are reportedly working on more than 300 mobile products, according to Saugen, and more than 270 different desktop devices (including many all-in-ones) using Intel's Ivy Bridge microarchitecture. That may be good news for Mac ,fans who are hoping to see new Ivy Bridge chips in upcoming all-in-one iMacs since the new processors may not be coming to MacBooks right away. Servers packed with Ivy Bridge-based Xeon chips are also expected before the summer. This is because the Tri-Gate design boosts performance when needed and conserves power when none is required. This technology is great for desktop users, but Intel has clearly focused on power savings to strengthen their position in the mobile market as Intel wants a larger piece of the smartphone and tablet markets.