NVIDIA and AMD to begin 40nm GPU Conquests in 2009

[btarunr]

Reports suggest that the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) could receive manufacturing contracts by AMD, and long-time customer NVIDIA, for graphics processors based on the newest 40nm silicon fabrication process. The two giants in the visual computing industry, are expected to skip the 45nm process altogether. This is seen as a move to cut down manufacturing costs, and use the most feasible manufacturing technologies. Miniaturizing circuitry at that scale would allow them to build even more complex silicon machinery, with much higher transistor counts, while maintaining size constraints.

AMD on its part would have to use the services of TSMC, since the foundry company's fab in Dresden is only capable of 45nm SOI fabrication process, and that it would take as long as 2010, by the time the expected 32nm process is ready at the New York fab. The next star-entry for AMD would be the ATI RV870, and as for NVIDIA, it would continue development of monolithic high-end GPUs with GT216, a successor to the G200 GPU. Meanwhile, the companies could continue aggressive competition, with projections of up to 20% price-cuts by Christmas 2008 shopping season. Their 40nm GPU designs could be ready by the end of this year, and 40nm GPUs could be supplied by June, 2009.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Hayder_Master]

40nm that's mean low temp , that's cool

 

[ShinyG]

That price drop sounds interesting

 

[D4S4]

So GT216 is going to consist of at least 2 billion transistors

 

[jbunch07]

I'm betting on a 5870 X2 by early next summer.

 

[wahdangun]

"Meanwhile, the companies could continue aggressive competition, with projections of up to 20% price-cuts by Christmas 2008 shopping season."

hmmmm, the smell of competition is realy sweeeet )

 

[PP Mguire]

Im so glad ATI is getting their game back.

 

[Disruptor4]

Im so glad ATI is getting their game back.

Agreed. It's good for all of us as consumers.

 

[PCpraiser100]

Oh crap, the two companies are going to bash heads again to torment my choices over wha graphics card to pick. This is going to be bad, just like when DX10 came out.

 

[anticlutch]

That price drop sounds interesting

It sure does! Might even push me to upgrade all of my parts and CF'ing two 4870's...

 

[largon]

40nm that's mean low temp , that's cool

Too bad 40nm doesn't mean the chips run at "low temps".

 

[xu^]

least i might be able to afford a worthwhile upgrade if they drop current prices

 

[eidairaman1]

why not expolit the inbetween Processes?

 

[Squirrely]

why not expolit the inbetween Processes?

Think its the typical "Go big (or small in their case, lol) or go home". Nvidia has been quiet about its 55nm GT200, but it should be hitting the market soon. (To be Q4 2008)