Intel Corp (INTC)

[Elmer Phud]

The problem with higher voltage is not just heat. The gate oxide can be damaged by high voltage. When comparing Intel and AMD process technology you will see that AMD runs at a higher Vcc but that's because their oxide is thicher and can stand the strain. Gate oxide thickness is a second order effect on performance. You want it as thin as possible while maintaining reliability. Intel could increase their gate oxide thickness but that would slow down transistor switching thus defeating the purpose. AMD would decrease their's if they could.

EP