Intel, IBM announce insulation "overhaul" for faster, cooler chips

by Paul Miller posted Jan 27th 2007 at 12:30PM

Intel and IBM are acting oh-so-smug right now about their respective achievements in insulating 45nm transistors, allowing the chips to run faster, leak less power and generate less heat. Intel, which hinted at such improvements in June, knocked out the first press announcement, promising to start implementing the technology in the second half of 2007, and IBM scrambled to catch up, announcing that it was "on the verge" of a similar discovery, and was working with AMD to start building comparable chips in Q1 2008. Intel is calling this the "biggest change in computer chips in 40 years," and while that sounds like hyperbole to us, there's no denying that 45nm is the new hotness, and bully for Intel for making it work. The actual technology -- at least Intel's method -- replaces the silicon dioxide insulators which leak too much energy when sliced too thin, but when made thicker reduce the electrical charge that passes through, reducing performance. Now Intel is using a hafnium-based insulator, which improves conductivity and reduces leakage simultaneously. Just for kicks, Intel is also tossing in a new metal alloy for its gate electrode, to replace the old silicon gate. IBM confirmed it is also using hafnium insulators, but couldn't help getting in a cheap-shot metaphor: "It's the difference between can openers and Ferraris," according to Bernard S. Meyerson, VP and chief technologit for systems and technology at IBM. Man, those technologists can really bring the smack.

[Thanks, Lee G.]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Tags: 45nm, amd, chips, hafnium, ibm, insulation, intel, processors

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Highly Ranked

Robert Scoble @ Jan 27th 2007 1:15PM

Paul, I have a video tour of Intel's new 45nm fab here: http://scobleizer.com/2007/01/26/looking-into-intels-new-fab/ -- would love to know what you think!

Low Ranked

brendan Sheehan jnr @ Jan 27th 2007 1:18PM

What I want to know is how much faster will the new new iMac's will be with these chips in them?

3X ?? How many X ?

Neutral

Shmoe @ Jan 27th 2007 3:25PM

Hopefully the Xbox 360 v2 will utilize this.

Neutral

applesucksLeo @ Jan 27th 2007 4:43PM

Nice to see the highest of high tech is still developed and manufactured here in the USA.

Neutral

intel352 @ Jan 27th 2007 5:09PM

Technologit? must be a new term :-D

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