Intel Demonstrates Industry's First 32nm Chip

Speaking at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF), Paul Otellini, president and CEO of Intel gave a glimpse of the industry's first working chips built using 32 nanometer (nm) technology. Intel's 32 nm process technology is on track to begin production in 2009.
The company also demonstrated the next-generation chip architecture codenamed Nehalem, due to be out next year. In addition, the industry's first 45 nm family of Penryn processors will be available from Intel in November. Penryn, along with the Silverthorne family of 45 nm processors to be available next year will have the small feature size, low-power requirements, and high-performance capabilities to meet a variety of computing needs from handheld internet computers to high-end servers. "We expect our Penryn processors to provide up to a 20 % performance increase while improving energy efficiency," said Otellini. "Intel's 45 nm silicon process technology allows us to provide low-cost, low-power processors for innovative small form factor devices while delivering high-performance, multi-core, and multi-featured processors used in the most advanced systems." Otellini made the first public demonstration of Intel's Nehalem processor and said the company is on track to deliver the new processor design in the second half of the year. "Nehalem leverages Intel's Core Microarchitecture, bringing leading-edge performance advantages, power efficiency, and important new server features to market just a year after Intel leads the industry to 45 nm technology," said Otellini. The version of a Penryn dual-core processor operating at 25 watts will be available on the upcoming Montevina platform, which will include Intel's mobile WiMAX silicon.