Spokeshave, Re: I find it hard to believe that among all of the self-proclaimed industry experts on this board, nobody knows anything about strained silicon. Lack of knowledge sure has not kept anyone from speculating about AMD's possible problems with SOI. In the transition to 90nm, Intel will be incorporating strained silicon and low-k. All of this will be happening at a time when the 130nm process is completely topped out, Hammer will (ostensibly) be in production, and there will be great pressure to get the 90nm process going. Personally, I think that it will be a very difficult transition and will present a significant risk for Intel's position in the CPU market. I was curious about what others felt.
Due to 20/20 hindsight, I can easily speculate that SOI has been the root of all of AMD's problems with Hammer. I may be wrong, or I may be right, but that's how the facts appear to me. In terms of strained silicon, Intel is definitely taking a risk, but unfortunately, my foresight isn't so clear. <g>
My guess is that the 90nm process node will be a challenge for all, but in the case of Intel, I would guess that they've had more resources put towards the development of this technology (ever since mid-2001), while AMD has spent more time getting the bugs out of their .13u processes (both bulk si and SOI). With a year of head start, Intel may have an advantage going into 90nm production, even with the risk of strained silicon.
Re: much of the conversation is given to denigrating AMD rather than discussing Intel. What's it to you if I choose to point this out?
Nothing. Just as I have chosen to ignore the AMD bashing from others, I will ignore complaints of that bashing from you.
wbmw
