Intel to Release Details on 32nm Chip Fabrication Technology at 54th IEDM
If chip fabrication continues on a shrinking trend with Intel expected to release details surround its 32nm chip fabrication technology at the IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) in San Francisco on December 15.
Representatives from Intel will present a paper to discuss how they produced a 291Mb SRAM memory array to test the process – a process which uses high-k and metal gate technologies. Using a 0.171-micron^2 cell size, the device has close to 2 billion transistors and array density of 4.2-Mbit^2 – it operated at 3.8GHz at 1.1 Volts.
Static RAM cells are what chip makers always build first when testing a new fabrication process – and according to Intel, the new process appears to be good. Intel has also claimed that its first 32nm processors, codenamed ‘Westmere’ are expected to debut in late 2009 – essentially be a die-shrink version of their new Nehalem architecture, due out late this quarter.
Intel is also not the only chip maker detailing its progress, however. AMD is claiming the smallest functional SRAM cell ever made at 22nm, high-k and metal gate with a density of 0.10micron^2.
From the sounds of things, we can expect to start seeing 32nm chips from Intel around the third or fourth quarter of 2009 and 22nm chips from AMD. Generally the smaller they get, the lower the voltage – thus lowering the heat. This are going to be pretty cool next year, no pun intended.
You did make a few spelling error here and there,but nothing major.Nice article.
You cannot compare a working 2 BILLION transistor SRAM chip and think 6 working transistors means a 22nm IBM (or AMD) chip is coming soon! Are you suggesting they may skip 32nm altogether? Heck even the 45nm are not really out yet - are they just going to run that node for 1 year, skip the next node of 32nm and go to 22nm? You will not see any 22nm chips until at least 2012 (possibly end of 2011 for Intel).
You will also note the IBM cell was a 0.1um density which is not quite 1/2 (which would be expected) of the 0.17um density Intel quoted on the larger technology node. In all likelihood IBM, took some liberties on what "22nm" means - again the lack of details here is quite odd for a company like IBM to leave out... the only detail given was
Fire this joker and hire some writers that don't put an obvious slant on every article they write. This site will remain a joke until then.
People come here because it USED to be a good site, and vendors still give them early press releases. No one can deny the quality has plummeted though.
no one can possibly skip a process shrink, its just too difficult and too expensive. its less difficult to go that 32nm process and make money from it first before going directly to 22nm.
don't worry about amd. they don't need to beat intel's best chips but needs too compete closer than we see today.
1) Please take your anger to your local gym and work it out there.
2) Read the article carefully to get the presented facts correct as written.
3) Calm yourself if somehow the article you have read has upset your equanimity.
4) Write a concise, informative response.
Sincerely,
All Readers
'small details' and 'kflipflop98' were entirely correct on the matter,
though the form could have been better.
1 & 3: don't show anger and calm yourself:
Sure, but you still have the right to laugh at stupidities.
2 & 4 Read the Article carefully and Write a concise, informative response:
Well isn't it exactly what 'small details' and 'kflipflop98' did?