Intel’s Latest Chips
Intel claims it has the solution to the low-quality video we are used to getting off the internet from places like YouTube. They are set to unveil their Penryn line of chips, a family of 16 processors that will provide the performance needed to broadcast full-screen high-resolution HD-quality video over the internet.
Initially planned for use in servers and high-end desktops, the Penryn chip is a 45 nanometer transistor that switches more quickly and minimizes current leaks. At 45 nanometers, Intel claims they will be able to fit 820 million transistors into one silicon die.
This will also be the first Intel chip that uses a metal transistor gate and a new so-called “high-k” gate oxides that will hold a larger electrical charge than today’s versions.
With all of the trouble AMD is having getting their quad-core Barcelona chips on the the market, Intel seems poised to swoop in and compete. After out-benchmarking AMD with the Penyrn processor, Intel appears to hold the performance advantage also.
Intel is also looking strong the introduction next year of Silverthorne, their ultra low-powered 1.7 GHz mobile chip. Silverthorne will feature in MID’s and UMPC’s, but will be cheap enough for Intel to produce that it will be available for low-end PC’s as well.
At any rate, it appears that AMD has some catching up to do.
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