transistors

[Its_Just_Me]

What effect does the number of transistors a given CPU's got, have on its power/performence.

 

[jimmysmitty]

Normally the more transistors, the more power usage unless there are more being put on a smaller process node (45nm to 32nm).

Not always better performance but it mens you can put more things into a smaller space when you add them thus increasing performance.

 

[frozenlead]

Agree. More transistors means more power - but any performance delta depends on the way they're used. If the CPU architecture is poorly designed and uses them ineffectively...well, you get the idea.

 

[4745454b]

Not to mention that a different process can change things as well. SOI is/was very good at being efficient. It took Intel HKMG tech to show us something that was better. And both are on 45nm. Process size, transistor tech, number, etc all play a part.

 

[jsc]

A significant number of transistors on a CPU die are used for the static RAM caches. Here, larger caches can contribute to better performance.

 

[sminlal]

With more transistors the CPU architects can design a CPU that is faster or has more capabilities. But there certainly isn't a 1:1 relationship between speed and transistor count, or between number of functions and transistor count.