A new chip design by Intel Corp. is a major development in the computer industry, and a major advance for the processing power of computers.
Intel Corp. noted in a statement yesterday that it had redesigned the electronic switches used on its computer chips, a move that will allow the chip maker to produce both faster chips and make them less expensive. Intel achieved the increased speed by adding so-called "fins" to the base of the otherwise flat chips. While the technical details may be lost on the vast majority of the public, what it all amounts to is that your next computer purchase is likely to be cheaper than it otherwise would have been.
The new chips will be produced during 2011 and will begin being added to computers next year. Intel has been working on these new "tri-gate" transistors for about ten years now, even as other chip makers are also working on similar designs. Already, analysts in the industry are calling it one of the most significant developments in silicon transistors since the integrated circuit was invented over 50 years ago. Noted Dan Hutcheson, CEO of VLSI Research, Inc. and one who follows the industry, "When I looked at it, I did a big, ‘Wow.’ What we’ve seen for decades now have been evolutionary changes to the technology. This is definitely a revolutionary change."
Hutcheson also noted that "People have been trying to avoid changing the structure," but with the new advance that line of thinking is out the window. The new design, as noted, will mean that processing speeds will continue to grow while at the same time the price of a new computer will continue to shrink.
The new chips will be produced during 2011 and will begin being added to computers next year. Intel has been working on these new "tri-gate" transistors for about ten years now, even as other chip makers are also working on similar designs. Already, analysts in the industry are calling it one of the most significant developments in silicon transistors since the integrated circuit was invented over 50 years ago. Noted Dan Hutcheson, CEO of VLSI Research, Inc. and one who follows the industry, "When I looked at it, I did a big, ‘Wow.’ What we’ve seen for decades now have been evolutionary changes to the technology. This is definitely a revolutionary change."
Hutcheson also noted that "People have been trying to avoid changing the structure," but with the new advance that line of thinking is out the window. The new design, as noted, will mean that processing speeds will continue to grow while at the same time the price of a new computer will continue to shrink.
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