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Intel Reinvents Transistors Using New 3-D Structure

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Re: Intel Reinvents Transistors Using New 3-D Structure

#71
post #11

Anyone know if the 3D structure is patented by Intel? If so, wouldn't this give Intel a monopoly on transistors given how much better this new design performs?

TSMC has plans to develop similar(not same) non-planar fab at 12nm, I think, by 2012. They call their's FINFET and showed a prototype in 2002.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multigate_device#FinFETs

Re: Intel Reinvents Transistors Using New 3-D Structure

#72
post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you need to keep up?

As a consumer he might not have any good reason to do so, but look at it from Intel's perspective: They're potentially not getting the best return on their R&D investment by encouraging customers to regularly skip generations.

Most people don't upgrade their CPUs. Most people don't know what generation their CPU is from when they buy.

Re: Intel Reinvents Transistors Using New 3-D Structure

#73
post #41

Again one of those "I bet AnandTech has the best description out there" and I go check and am pleasantly surprised. http://www.anandtech.com/show/4313/intel-announces-first-22n...

Ah, but PC Magazine has "9 things you need to know" about it, which includes an incorrect explanation of what a nanometer is. I think it's in a sidebar next to their "38 makeup tips for the summer" article.

Re: Intel Reinvents Transistors Using New 3-D Structure

#74

This is the sort of thing I read and think to myself "go check HN comments where someone smart will explain this in layman's terms"

Agreed. It's all magic to me but it seems like, if this breakthrough can keep Moore's Law chugging, it's worth a pretty penny. I'm surprised their stock isn't up more today.

The funny thing about silicon is a breakthrough is only worth anything if it doesn't cost practically anything! (on a per-chip basis)

Re: Intel Reinvents Transistors Using New 3-D Structure

#75

"the world's first 3-D transistors, called Tri-Gate, in a production technology" I wonder if this is truly Intel's invention or not: http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=tri+gate+trans...

If you're ever wondering if Intel invented something related to transistors, the answer is probably yes.

Re: Intel Reinvents Transistors Using New 3-D Structure

#78
post #76

Intel stock is up 2% and ARM is down 6% (was down 7.7% in London trading). Looks like their Apple-esque announcement strategy has had some impact.

Apple obviously had a heads up on this - since they announced the switch to intel not long ago. Which means they had insider information. I wonder if anyone made billions off it.

Re: Intel Reinvents Transistors Using New 3-D Structure

#80
post #4

I liked Engadget's coverage of the release http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/04/intel-will-mass-produce-2... I'm a sucker for videos. This Tri-Gate tech was first announced in 2002, I love seeing pie in the sky technology come into reality and widespread usage.

the videos are at the same time incredibly good and incredibly bad, thanks :)

They are even better than the "get perpendicular" video by Hitachi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xPvD0Z9kz8
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