Comparing Dell Sandy Bridge vs. Ivy Bridge Processors for HPC Applications User Guide
Summary
Gain critical insights into upgrading your High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure. This comprehensive analysis compares Intel Sandy Bridge vs. Ivy Bridge processors across various intensive applications (like ANSYS Fluent and LS-DYNA). We evaluate performance benefits—including improved clock speeds, lower power consumption, and increased core capacity—using real-world benchmarks. Ideal for researchers, designers, and engineers making data-driven decisions to optimize their supercomputing systems and boost overall application throughput.
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Comparing Sandy Bridge vs. Ivy Bridge processors for HPC applications
Mayura Deshmukh - Dell, PSP team - NCSA, May 2014
As new server technologies become available, each generation is touted as being better, faster, more efficient, and laden with new features. For an HPC user, the question is “how much better?”, “how much faster?” and especially, “how much does it benefit my specific application?”
For nearly 30 years, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) has been a leading site for some of the world’s most advanced computing and data systems. NCSA’s Private Sector Program (PSP) is also the largest industry engagement effort at an HPC center in America, providing computing, data, and other resources to help companies leverage supercomputing to solve the most challenging science and engineering problems.
This blog presents some of the work conducted by NCSA’s PSP to measure and analyze the performance benefits of the new Intel Xeon E5-2600 v2 processors (code-named Ivy Bridge) over the previous generation E5-2600 series (code-named Sandy Bridge). The focus here is on various HPC applications widely-used by researchers and designers in the manufacturing sector. A mix of commercial and open source applications like ANSYS Fluent, LS-DYNA, Simulia Abaqus, MUMPS, and LAMMPS were selected for this investigation. High-Performance Linpack (HPL) benchmark results are also presented.
The main difference between the two processor generations under study is the shrinking of process technology from 32nm to 22nm. This allows fitting more transistors on the chip, higher clock rates, and better power management. For example, running the SPEC power benchmark with 100% load on Dell Power Edge R720 with Ivy Bridge (IVB) Intel Xeon E5-2660 v2 showed 25% lower peak CPU power consumption compared to HUAWEI Tecal RH2288 V2 server with Sandy Bridge (SB) Xeon E5 2660. A 2.0 GHz SB processor runs at max TDP of 60W whereas a 2.0 GHz IVB processor runs at max TDP 50W. Also for processors with maximum TDP 150W the clock speed of IVB (3.4 GHz) is higher than that of SB processors (3.1 GHz). It is essential for users to understand the power and frequency differences between the two generations before selecting a processor for their application. Both processors have an integrated memory controller that supports four DDR3 channels. SB processors support memory speeds up to 1600 MT/s, whereas IVB support memory speeds up to 1866 MT/s.
When selecting a CPU for your application it is important to consider factors like power consumption, usable bandwidth (for applications on multiple nodes) along with the clock speed and the number of cores.
Table 1 gives more information about the application and the hardware configuration used for the tests.
Table 1: Hardware Configuration & Application details
Page Summary Contents For Comparing Dell Sandy Bridge vs. Ivy Bridge Processors for HPC Applications User Guide
Manual Details
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Pages | 6 |
| File Size | 733.30 KB |
| Published | June 23, 2026 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary technical difference between Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge processors?
Ivy Bridge shrunk process technology from 32nm to 22nm, allowing for higher clock rates, better power management, and more transistors on the chip.
How do I compare memory compatibility when selecting a processor?
Sandy Bridge supports up to 1600 MT/s, while Ivy Bridge provides faster support for memory speeds up to 1866 MT/s.
What should I prioritize when choosing between two CPU generations?
Users must consider power consumption, clock speed, core count, and most importantly, benchmark the actual application workload instead of relying only on specs.