Len, Re: "In it they say that IBM's
Power PC750 processor uses the technology, and that it incorporates 0.12 micron
gates."
To intercept this one for now, and I would bet that Paul will be in later:
IBM is not in production at 0.12 micron. They are just getting there with 0.18, and are concentrating that new technology on chips for their flagship product, which is still the mainframe (now called "enterprise server" as the term mainframe is no longer "PC").
The 0.12 at IBM could very well be prototype or pilot. Just for reference, in June, 1996, Intel told us at a roadmap meeting that they had 0.18 pilot processes running. So you have to take the kind of talk like IBM's 0.12 with a very large grain of salt.
Re: "My question is how far ahead of Intel is IBM in semiconductor process
technology?"
I would estimate that IBM is three to six months ahead of Intel WRT process technology. Any other bets? Of course, IBM is not in direct competition with Intel right now, as they don't make chips for either AMD or Cyrix anymore. In fact, proponents of those companies that post here were heard cheering mightily when they ditched IBM. Big blue too expensive, I guess, or they don't offer the latest and greatest processes to other companies. Another thing, IBM doesn't make anywhere near the # of CPU chips that Intel does, anymore, so, they, IBM, may declare themselves to be in a new process when they have only a line or two running. Intel OTOH may "declare" production only when they have several lines, in several different countries, even, running.
Regards,
Tony |
