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To: maui_dude who wrote (146898)	11/6/2001 11:44:28 AM
From: wanna_bmw	Respond to of 186894

Maui_dude, Re: "I can understand that this hybrid can catch upto AMD only if either : 1. They will no longer be able to do that in future (why can't they mix .13 interconnect with .09 gate in their .13 process coming out soon) ? or 2. Intel starts doing what AMD is doing and get a half step ahead from where they currently are." Actually, the gate widths on the .13u node are about 80-100nm for many publicly released processes. However, the rumor is that AMD is using gate lengths of 70nm. Intel's publicly released information relating to their .13u process says that they will get down to 65nm gate lengths with their process, which is about as far as you can go with current lithography, stepper, and mask tools. With 193nm lithography, which is a step up from what Intel and AMD are using now, Intel intends to create their .09u node with gate lengths down to 45nm. I expect AMD to get close to this, too, but such small dimensions seem a year or two off, based on my (non-technical) opinion. I think AMD will have a tough time getting smaller gate lengths than they have now until they move to the new equipment (which is currently shipping to them, IIRC). However, even once the equipment is shipped, there is a long and exhaustive testing and integration process before the equipment can be used for high volume production. I expect it to take another year before AMD is ready to make the next move, which means that SOI may be the only way for them to get a few more megahertz in their chips. wanna_bmw

To: maui_dude who wrote (146898)	11/6/2001 12:00:04 PM
From: Elmer	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 186894

I would appreciate some insight from a 'process' guy/girl on why AMD is able to do the hybrid process and Intel is not (or has not) ? If Intel were able to do that, wouldn't that have prevented the performance crown AMD got last year (briefly) with Athlon ? Not a process expert here but I do know something about manufacturing. I think it's a mistake to think Intel hasn't done this in the past. Perhaps I shouldn't say any more then just that the 1GHz P3s were not running on the same exact process as other versions. Intel is not in that position anymore. AMD is the desperate one. P4 is at 2GHz on the very first version with minimal cache and optimizations. Compare that to the original K7. Athlon is now on it's third version. How much better does Athlon perform clock for clock compared to the original? Northwood is near release and Intel just doesn't need to take desperate measures to remain competitive. Regarding .09u gates, I think there will need to be a new generation of equipment to achieve this. EP