Intel's 32nm chips ready for MIDs and netbooks in 2009
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Dec 10th 2008 2:08AM
posted Dec 10th 2008 2:08AM
In 2005 Intel revealed its 65-nm manufacturing process, then 45-nm in 2007. Today, in keeping with its "tick-tock" strategy, Intel is announcing a further shrinkage to its manufacturing process as it ends the development phase for 32-nm chip circuitry. That puts the chips on a production schedule for Q4 2009 -- interesting as Intel's rumored 32-nm Medfield chip wasn't expected until the first half of 2010. According to Intel, the new chips incorporate second-generation high-k + metal gate technology with transistors that switch 22% faster than its current 45-nm Penryn chips. Why should you care? Well, the smaller chips are cheaper to manufacture which should translate to consumer savings. They also require less power than Intel's notoriously power-friendly Atom-class chips. As an interesting side note, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Intel has also disclosed a variant of its 45-nm process (the Lincroft-based Pineview we presume) "that is tailored to create chips for portable computing devices that require low power consumption." Uh, those wouldn't be targeting ARM by any chance would they Intel? Wink wink, nudge nudge.[Via Wall Street Journal]
What is there to say other than...
Woo! I love the future!
the feature ftw!
COME ON AMD! FIGHT AMD! GOO AMD! NOT BECAUSE I'M A FAN BOY BUT I JUST WANT TO BUY INTEL PRODUCTS FOR LESS! YOU TOO VIA!
This is great. With the proliferation of netbooks, more power efficient processors, the better. I can't wait for dual core atoms in netbooks. Now if only netbook manufactures actually put a decent battery in them so they can have more battery life than 3-4hours, which is hardly any different than larger laptops.
Poor AMD....
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How is the atom "notorious" for low power consumption. That's a good thing, not bad as far as I can tell....
"notorious" because they gave up (or barely matched) the processing power of Intel's previous gen chips used in netbooks. Unexpected for consumers who generally equate next-gen with a bump in speed.
Thomas
Can't wait for this and OLED screens to become available and reasonably priced...10mm thin netbooks, yay!
i just watched the fantastic voyage, and i have this hunch that there's a secret lab underground somewhere were they shrink electronics, so one of these days our computers are going to start growing back to their original size.
why do secret labs always have to be underground? it could be in the burj dubai for all we know...
or in Nauru!
Call me when someone can make a GHz class x86 CPU that can compete with ARM's 0.18 watt usage.
Seriously, 212-555-0145.
Me too.. 281 330 8004
while your at it call santa and have him send you one
5-555-555-555
first # is the country code
These are for just netbooks? We wont be expecting 32nm or anything for normal desktops?
Because that would mean another mobo compatibility change no?
Also how much of a difference in price would you expect since manufacturing is easier?
I didn't see too much of a change from 65nm to 45nm
Intel will re-release their Core i7 line as 32nm, that applies to both desktops and laptops (generally desktops are always the first to get new technology & process). This will also be done with their Atom chips too, last.
So at this rate I will be able to buy my future kids a "Last Mimzy" bunny with Intel Inside® in 2020 huh?
I really want to see the MID formfactor be successful. I'm sick to death of handheld devices (phones, PMPs, games) being locked-down platforms we merely "license" from the manufacturer. I want a handheld machine I can tweak, improve, install my own software, etc. Looking forward to Intel making this a reality next year.
While we're discussing 32nm- what if someone just made a phone that could truly do what you said? Would you buy it or would you pass because of the smaller screen?
@techie
like the caps lock, dontcha?