Intel combines 45nm and Hi-k in 16 new CPUs
A pair of technologies that boost performance by up to 20 percent and reduce power consumption by as much as 30 percent underpin the 16 new CPUs introduced today by Intel.
The introduction of the 45nm process means the same components can be fitted onto less silicon than is needed with the currently 65nm process. Alternatively, more can be crammed into the same space.
Although 45nm is roughly two-thirds of 65nm, the process reduces the area of each element on a chip by approximately half. Intel is using the process to cram up to 820 million transistors onto a single chip.
The smaller a given design can be made, the faster it can run and the less power is needed.
Full article: itwire.com
