Intel's 1.9Bn Transistor, 32nm Die Works

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Sanjay Natarajan is driving Intel's efforts toward 32nm CPUs for 2009, setting up a key process battle between Intel and AMD. While team-green are betting the farm on Low-K Dielectric Technology, Intel say High-K is the way to go...

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HEXUS Forums :: 18 Comments

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Posted by Andrzej - Thu 27 Sep 2007 09:59
Absolutely fascinating !

AMD say Low-K is the future

Intel say no way, choose High-K

But who is right ?

If I understand this correctly, then AMD are saying that by putting in traffic calming measures, with speed bumps and a reduction in ‘alternate path short cuts’ for errant electrons - the world will be a better place…

…while Intel prefer to make the highway connecting 2 items much faster - so that any deviation is automatically discouraged because electrons follow the path of least resistance

(if I have the fuzzy end of this lolly-pop, then please feel free to jump in and correct me!)

Both are on schedule to deliver mass-market volume on next-gen parts by 2009/10 and then - I guess - the stock market will vote with its wallet

.
Posted by Funkstar - Thu 27 Sep 2007 10:06
Thats pretty cool.

Surely both AMD and Intel could be right with their differing approaches to metal gates? They are just approaching the problem from different angles.
Posted by arthurleung - Thu 27 Sep 2007 10:36
Can't they use high-K for some part of the chip and low-K for another part of the chip?
Posted by DR - Thu 27 Sep 2007 10:43
I'm not sure you can mix it due to it being a manufacturing process, I'm no expert on silicon manipulation but I'm confident that it would take a ‘double pass’ on the line and you would need to mask the other area. I will find out though
Posted by Lee H - Thu 27 Sep 2007 11:02
Andrzej
AMD say Low-K is the future

Intel say no way, choose High-K

But who is right ?


Kellogs and their Special K ;)

As long as both the processes work as intended then they can use any they want :)

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