Intel Corp (INTC)

[fingolfen]

In the case of AMD's development of the Hammer technology --the upcoming x86-based 64-bit processor -- SOI enables significant improvements in the number of transistors on a processor. For example, a hypothetical desktop processor using 70 watts will run an AMD bulk silicon processor with about 40 million transistors. Our 64-bit desktop processor, the AMD Athlon based on Hammer technology, will operate approximately 100 million transistors at the same 70 watts.

My understanding is that with SOI you either get a "big" power improvement, or a "big" frequency improvement, but you don't get "big bangs" in both at the same time.

At 100 million transistors, the hammer is going to be huge. This will significantly impact the number of die per wafer AMD gets (currently one of their few manufacturing advantages). Based on this information the hammer delay makes a lot more sense. AMD is dealing with a MUCH larger die on an intrinsically more defect prone process (with SOI). The math is very easy at this point...