Ivy Bridge is a microarchitecture developed by Intel for its processors, introduced in 2012. It is the third generation of the Core family, succeeding the Sandy Bridge architecture. Ivy Bridge processors are built on a 22-nanometer manufacturing process, which allows for improved performance and energy efficiency compared to their predecessors. Ivy Bridge features enhancements such as support for USB 3.0 and improved graphics capabilities through the Intel HD Graphics 4000 series. This architecture is commonly found in laptops and desktops, providing a balance of power and efficiency for everyday computing tasks and gaming.