# Broadwell

> Intel processor family

**Wikidata**: [Q764978](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q764978)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadwell_(microarchitecture))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/broadwell

## Summary
Broadwell is a family of Intel microprocessors and a distinct processor microarchitecture. It serves as the successor to the Haswell microarchitecture and is the predecessor to the Skylake family. The Broadwell architecture is distinguished by its manufacturing process, utilizing 14 nm lithography.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Broadwell is a subclass of the Intel microprocessor.
*   **Aliases:** Also known as BDW and Intel Broadwell.
*   **Predecessor:** Follows the Haswell Intel processor microarchitecture.
*   **Successor:** Precedes the Skylake Intel processor family and microarchitecture.
*   **Fabrication:** Manufactured using a 14 nm lithography process.
*   **Related Entities:** Associated with the Broadwell Xeon line.
*   **Wikipedia Title:** Listed as "Broadwell (microarchitecture)."

## FAQs
### Q: What is Broadwell?
A: Broadwell is an Intel processor family and microarchitecture. It is classified as a type of Intel microprocessor.

### Q: What lithography process does Broadwell use?
A: Broadwell is fabricated using a 14 nm lithography process.

### Q: What processors came before and after Broadwell?
A: Broadwell was preceded by the Haswell microarchitecture and was succeeded by the Skylake processor family.

## Why It Matters
Broadwell represents a specific generation in the lineage of Intel microprocessors, serving as the critical bridge between the Haswell and Skylake architectures. Its significance lies primarily in its fabrication method; by utilizing a 14 nm lithography process, it marked a specific technological step in processor manufacturing. This generation carried forward the Intel microprocessor line, influencing subsequent designs like Skylake. The existence of specific variants, such as Broadwell Xeon, highlights its role across different computing segments, from consumer to server applications. Understanding Broadwell is essential for mapping the chronological and technical evolution of Intel's processing power during this era.

## Notable For
*   **Fabrication Advance:** Utilization of the 14 nm lithography process.
*   **Architectural Positioning:** Serving as the direct successor to Haswell and predecessor to Skylake.
*   **Nomenclature:** Identified distinctively by the codename "BDW."
*   **Taxonomy:** Classification as a distinct microarchitecture within the broader Intel microprocessor parent category.

## Body

### Definition and Classification
Broadwell is formally classified as an Intel processor family and a subclass of the Intel microprocessor. It is recognized in knowledge bases as "Broadwell (microarchitecture)" and is distinct from other entities sharing the name. It is categorized under the "Broadwell Xeon" designation in specific contexts, indicating its application in server-grade hardware.

### Chronology and Lineage
In the timeline of Intel processor development, Broadwell occupies the position between two major architectures. It follows the **Haswell** Intel processor microarchitecture. Consequently, it is followed by the **Skylake** Intel processor family and microarchitecture. This sequence establishes Broadwell as a "Tick" or a refinement phase in the standard Intel development model, sitting between the architectural introduction of Haswell and the new architecture of Skylake.

### Technical Specifications
The defining technical characteristic of Broadwell provided in the source material is its **fabrication method**. Unlike its predecessors which used larger nodes, Broadwell is manufactured using a **14 nm lithography process**. This reduction in transistor size is the primary technical differentiator noted in structured data properties.

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013