65 nm 90 nm... what?

[CaptainCool08]

I keep hearing about the shift from 90 nm technology to 65 nm technology in CPUs and graphics cards...

what does that mean? what size is really changing? how does it affect the power of the hardware?

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: CaptainCool08
I keep hearing about the shift from 90 nm technology to 65 nm technology in CPUs and graphics cards...

what does that mean? what size is really changing? how does it affect the power of the hardware?

It is the shortest gate length of the transistor that can be fabricated in the technology (90 nano-meter or 65 nano-meter technology),
A circuit designed with transistors with shorter gate lengths can operate at a higher frequency.

 

[Molondo]

Originally posted by: Navid

Originally posted by: CaptainCool08
I keep hearing about the shift from 90 nm technology to 65 nm technology in CPUs and graphics cards...

what does that mean? what size is really changing? how does it affect the power of the hardware?

It is the shortest gate length of the transistor that can be fabricated in the technology (90 nano-meter or 65 nano-meter technology),
A circuit designed with transistors with shorter gate lengths can operate at a higher frequency.

What is this gate length if you don't mind me asking?
EDIT: Oh never mind i see, the Gate of the transistor. oops.

 

[esun]

Shorter gate lengths have a number of effects. First of all, that means you can cram more transistors into a single chip or shrink your die size, meaning cheaper chips. Second, you get higher drain current (drain current is inversely proportional to transistor length) which means higher performance or lower power consumption (i.e. you can run at a lower voltage).

 

[dbuchmann]

Another important aspect is that with less power consumption comes cooler operating temperatures (which means for the most part greater ability to overclock without frying your cpu...in most cases anyway).


-David-

 

[lobbyone]

Run cooler, lower consumption, more transistors, cheaper!!