Next-Generation Penryn Processors Exposed @ Intel's New Fab

During a tour held by Intel at the construction site of Fab 28 – the company's new Fab in Kiryat Gat, Israel, HW Zone got to see not only the new factory but also Intel's next-generation processors, based on 45nm technology, the Penryn. The new processors, which exist in very limited numbers used for testing and evaluation, are the world's first computer chips to be manufactured using such an advanced production process. Intel has also announced the official shutdown of its production factory in Jerusalem – Fab 8 – which produces components for the automobile industry.

"Roni Friedman, manager of the processor development team in Intel's research center in Haifa, discussed the transition of Intel's development teams in Israel during 2006 from focusing strictly on mobile platforms to almost every segment of the market – servers, mobile computers and PCs, and explained that all stages of development, starting with the definition, through the design and ending with debugging, were done entirely in Israel. Friedman has also publicly showcased, for the first time in the world, two of Intel's next-generation processors produced at 45nm (codenamed "Penryn") and told us that they are currently undergoing final phases of testing and debugging at Intel's development center in Haifa. These processors were designed in the USA (with the assistance of Israel engineers) and are due to be launched in the second half of 2007, with no expected changes of schedule (according to Friedman)."

Check it out at HW Zone.