Intel: 45nm transistors use 1/7000th the power of 4004 transistors

Posted on Tuesday, February 24 2009 @ 2:26 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
Intel unveiled on its website that each of the 45nm transistors in the upcoming 8-core Xeon processors uses 1/7,000th the power and takes up 1/40,000th the area of the original 4004 transistors that Intel was manufacturing in 1971:
Each of the 45nm transistors in the upcoming 8-core Intel® Xeon® processor uses 1/7000th the power of the original 4004 transistors that Intel was manufacturing in 1971 - quite a statement in energy efficiency. If the fuel efficiency of automobiles had improved at the same rate, a car would get 200,000 miles per gallon. You could put one gallon in your tank when you first purchase a car and never have to stop at a gas station again for the life of the car, and still have plenty of fuel to spare. And each transistor today takes up 1/40,000th the area of the transistors in the 4004.


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Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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