September 16, 2010, Updated September 24, 2012

Intel’s new microprocessor, the ‘Sandy Bridge,’ was developed at its R&D Center in Haifa, Israel.

The company revealed details about the new chip at the Intel Developers Forum in San Francisco this week. The Sandy Bridge will enter production at the end of 2010 and will be available in early 2011.

The most important attribute of the new microprocessor is the advances in its graphic capabilities. The chip is being presented as combining graphic core processing (GPU) alongside a central processing unit (MPU). This will enable Intel to compete against Nvidia and AMD in the graphic processing market.

The new micro-architecture also represents progress in overall ability and efficiency. Its higher work speed and relatively lower energy needs will extend battery life in laptops based on the new microprocessor.

Intel’s Haifa facility has also been in the news recently for dedicating Israel’s most environmentally-friendly office building, the IDC9.

The 11-storey, $110 million facility has a double distinction. It is Israel’s first LEED-certified green building and it has been awarded Gold – the second-highest rating in the LEED certification system. LEED is an American standard for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

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