65nm, 40nm...?

[Kithzaru]

Please forgive me if this is a nub question but... what is the difference between a 65nm and a 45 or 40... I understand that the newer technology is utilizing a smaller nm, but what is a nm? is it the die (dye?) size? If it is the actual die size, then wouldn't you want it to be a bit bigger, that way you could have more surface area for cooling?

also... random and not related to the thread title.... what is max recommended temp for an AMD 5600+ Windsor, 70?

 

[GhislainG]

Smaller dies generate less heat and require less power. The package size doesn't shrink even if using a smaller die, i.e., a socket 775 CPU has the same size, no matter if it's a 65nm(nanometers) or 45nm. You can find additional info at Wikipedia.

 

[Kithzaru]

So... comparing say a C2Q to an i7, they are roughly contained in the same package, but the die inside of the package is smaller....?

 

[daft]

not at all. the nm measurement is the size of the transitors and the gates there in that the CPU dye are manufactured on. smaller nm means that less voltage is needed, and thus less power. C2Q/C2D are on a socket 775 system while and i7 is on 1366 system. larger socket. needed for integrated memory controller which has been moved from the NB. modern CPU's have what is called a heat spreader. a metal casing on the CPU that doubles as protection for the CPU dye.

 

[NewHaunter]

... but what is a nm? ...

nm is nanometer.

1 nm = 0.001 µm (micrometer).
1 µm = 0.001 mm (millimeter).

Like with capacities:

1 µF = 1000 nF = 1000000 pF.
microFarad, nanoFarad, picoFarad.