Sandy Bridge is the codename for Intel‘s second-generation Intel Core processor family. Sandy Bridge processors are distinguished from previous-generation Intel processors by featuring all cores including graphics on a single chip, being manufactured using Intel 32nm (nanometer) die shrink fabrication process technology, and featuring Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 for increased performance on an as-needed basis.
Intel Sandy Bridge processors debuted in early 2011, and the company has since released a wide spectrum of i3, i5 and i7 Sandy Bridge processors for laptop, desktop, workstation and server computers. The codename for the successor to Sandy Bridge is Ivy Bridge, which is expected to be released in 2012. Ivy Bridge will utilize a 22nm die shrink process and is expected to offer improved performance over Sandy Bridge in the range of 20 percent – 30 percent.
