Intel's Ivy Bridge Architecture to Support DirectX 11 On-Chip

At this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, semiconductor giant Intel Corp., officially released its second generation processor family, code named Sandy Bridge, that combines visual and 3D graphics technology with performance-leading microprocessors on a single chip.

Incorporating the newly architected Intel (News - Alert) HD graphics on each 32 nm die, it offers significant graphics performance improvements over previous-generation graphics for both HD media processing and mainstream gaming. The second generation multi-core processors improve performance and yet offer long battery life and the ability to design thinner, lighter and more innovative laptops and all-in-one PCs, said the maker.

In a company statement, said Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager, PC Client Group, Intel, "The new 2nd Generation Intel Core processors represent the biggest advance in computing performance and capabilities over any other previous generation. The built-in visual capabilities enabled by these new processors are stunning. This, combined with improved adaptive performance, will revolutionize the PC experience in a way that is obvious for every user to see and appreciate – visibly smarter performance.

Besides Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge, the codename given to the 22 nm die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture, was also the topic of discussion on the show floor. Last year, in the keynote speech given by Paul Otellini (News - Alert) at the 2010 Intel Developer Forum, Intel’s CEO indicated that Ivy Bridge processors may be introduced as early as the second half of 2011. However, media reports suggest that Ivy Bridge will be launched a year after Sandy Bridge, probably during CES (News - Alert) 2012.

In fact, IDG News reports that Intel’s Ivy Bridge architecture will integrate next generation graphics technology DirectX 11 on-chip.

DirectX 11 includes a set of tools that can generate more realistic images when playing games on PCs running Windows 7. Speaking to IDG News Service during the CES show, Intel’s Eden said, “Intel will integrate the technology in next-generation laptop and desktop chips, as use of the technology in applications will spread by then.”

By supporting DirectX 11 on-chip, Ivy Bridge is expected double the graphics performance of Sandy Bridge, writes Agam Shah of IDG News. “That puts Intel a full generation behind Advanced Micro Devices (AMD (News - Alert)) on DirectX technology. AMD has already implemented DirectX 11 in its Fusion low-power chips, which were officially announced on Tuesday. Like Intel's most recent chips, the Fusion chips combine the graphics processor and CPU in a single piece of silicon,” noted Shah.

Reports indicate that Ivy Bridge will replace dual-core processors with quad-core processors at the entry level segment, while delivering eight-core processors for mainstream and higher-end devices.