Intel to Tape Out First 45nm Processor in Q4 2006

[malware]

Intel Corp., the world's largest maker of x86 central processing units, said that the first 45nm microprocessor's design will be completed this quarter and the commercial shipments of such chips will begin in the second half of next year. "Our factories have been executing extremely well with over 40 million 65nm processors now shipped and a crossover from 90nm now achieved. Our 45nm process development is on track for the second half of 2007 and we plan to tape out the first of fifteen 45nm processors this quarter," said Paul Otellini, Intel's chief executive during the discussion of the company's financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2006. Intel said that products, which code-names are presumably Wolfdale(for desktops), Penryn(for laptops), Yorkfield/Bloomfield as well as server chips, made using 45nm process technology will first appear in 2007 and will benefit a variety of applications, including those involving graphics, video encoding and processing, 3D imaging, gaming, web servers and application servers. The new chips will be based on the Core 2 micro-architecture. In addition to 45nm dual-core chips in 2007, there are rumours about single-die quad-core chip made using 45nm process technology in the Q3 2007.

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[lemonadesoda]

I'm all for miniturization (although the PC box remains the same size!) if it results in lower power, less heat, while maintaining the same performance. Better still if the 45nm process will allow the CPU to scale to higher frequencies within the same power/heat envelope.

However, I'm curious as to why the jump from 65nm to 45nm. Remember the 150nm to 120nm or 120nm to 90 nm. The reduction on each occasion was circa 20-25% in linear scale = an area reduction of approx 33%.

This time they are shooting for 33% linear scale = less than 50% of the original area.

Great for silicon yields, ie. get a quad-core on to the same die as an existing dual... but I hope the unprecendented and large scale reduction doesnt bring with it unexpected reliability issues.

 

[Alec§taar]

I'm all for miniturisation (although the case remains the same size) if it results in lower power, less heat, even with the same performance. Better still if the 45nm process will allow the CPU to scale to higher frequencies within the same power/heat envelope.

That's the problem/'catch-22' though: Usually, more "leakage" results in the way of heat from overdoing microminiturizations + increasing clockspeeds w/ it...

This is probably imo @ least, WHY they are now pursuing multitasking/multithreading @ the hardware levels now... to make up for inabilities to conquer some "walls" physics put in their way!

APK

 

[Lord_Garshna]

The thing I most like about the smaller size is the electricity you save powering them. So I say cough *amd* cough, needs to follow the quickly shrinking processor trend... I am proud of intel at this time, they are making me hate them a little less.

 

[lemonadesoda]

This is probably WHY they are now pursuing multitasking/multithreading @ the hardware levels now... to make up for inabilities to conquer some "walls" physics put in their way!

Yep! Remember Netburst? It was designed to scale to 5-6Ghz, but croaked at 3.2 (and 3.4 in the Extreme Edition, "get lucky" one-in-a-hundred silicon wafer).

 

[Chewy]

Wolfdale(for desktops), Will these be faster than conroe!? already on the way... faster chips every year now!?!

I figure they will be about the same as conroe eh, just out so fast with new chips 4 cores in one chip would be nice prob better than 2 duels and hopfully they fit in lga775 slots. :S