Intel teases 22 nanometer chips
Intel CEO Paul Otellini showed off the first working chips using 22 nanometer process technology. These 22nm manufacturing techniques will be the basis for future chips from Intel in the second half of 2011.
Credit: Stephen Shankland, CNet News
Speaking at the Intel Developer Forum, Otellini said that the 22nm chips show how "Moore's Law is alive." For reference, Intel just began production on 32nm chips. The chip giant's game plan is clear: Use manufacturing prowess to beat rivals over the head.
To do that, Otellini said the company is focusing on the technology continuum - the process that has prompted the company to shift its focus from technology for the personal computer to other devices: netbooks, mobile phones, mobile Internet device, in-vehicle infotainment and more.
"While Moore's law is very predictable, this continuum is not," he said.
The 22nm wafer has 364 million bits of SRAM memory and 2.9 billion transistors. The whole thing is the size of a fingernail. Otellini says we can expect to see it in the second half of 2011 - though he did create a photo opportunity from the stage by holding up a 22nm wafer. There's been significant design work already, he said.
Other big takeaways from Otellini's keynote:
- Intel's Westmere processors will move into revenue production in the fourth quarter.
- Intel plans to introduce Sandy Bridge, Intel's new microarchitecture. Sandy Bridge will feature a graphics core and processor core on the same die.
- The company announced a program to allow developers to create applications once and have them run on Windows and Moblin devices.