Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Intel Corporation (INTC) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dan3 who wrote (165745)	6/4/2002 1:49:27 PM
From: fingolfen	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 186894

Too true. Since Intel is years away from having a "cutting edge" (SOI) process technology, it will be up to AMD, UMC, IBM, and Motorola to fill that huge, empty, void. Still the optimist, aye Dan? I haven't seen any AMD SOI chips at a competitive frequency at this point either. Also, remember that SOI isn't an "uber high tech panacea." There are trade offs. AMD needed to go to SOI because they'd pushed gate lengths to the lithographic breaking point in order to remain competitive. I remember bringing up this point on numerous occasions. All the while you (and other like minded individuals) preached the sermon that "AMD would beat Intel to 0.13 because they'd moved to copper and would have an easier time of it." Here we are now. Intel's 0.13 micron bulk process makes AMD's 0.13 micron bulk process look like a joke. AMD needs a 0.13 micron SOI process JUST TO KEEP UP! The reality is, however, Intel's been shipping product on 0.13 micron for over a year. Bottom line in process technology: You don't move to a more expensive option when you don't have to. SOI is more expensive in terms of wafer cost, redesign, and potential yield loss. If you can get the same performance boost from other process optimization, you don't migrate to a new technology. Semiconductor fabrication isn't about "who has the most bells and whistles", it's about "who has the best transistor switching speed and yield." Right now Intel has a substantial advantage over AMD. AMD's 0.13 micron SOI may redress that imbalance, but then it's not due out in volume until Q1 of NEXT year... which may be too little too late if you believe the Q303 launch of Intel's 90nm process.