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alexkerhead points us to Slshdot - Intel: Metal in Future Chips = Less Leakage |
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Written by Daniel
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Thursday, 25 November 2004 |
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Posted by
timothy
on Wed Nov 05, '03 09:44 AM
from the future-tech dept.
securitas writes "Intel is contemplating using metal instead of silicon in future chips
for the 'transistor gate, which controls whether a transistor is on or
off' and the 'dielectric, an insulating layer below the gate,' which
are respectively made of silicon atoms and silicon dioxide. 'Millions of minuscule switches that make up silicon chips leak electricity when they're supposed to be shut off.
To compensate, engineers have increased the current, driving up power
consumption, decreasing battery life for portable devices and
generating more heat.' AMD has also experimented with metal instead of silicon. By moving to metal AMD and Intel expect to reduce electricity leakage. More from AP via SeattlePI and the Miami Herald." Update: 11/05 15:25 GMT by T: Read on below for some information from Intel on why this is a good thing. Read it here: Discuss it here:
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