Future computer design: 3D?

[wviperw]

I am sure you guys have heard of the 3-dimensional storage that they are creating by using holographics. But what about other areas of computing. If you think about it, almost everything inside your computer is done in only 2 dimensions basically. The circuit board, the microprocessor, the Ram, the Bus, the Hard Disk, the CD-Rom, the Floppy Disk. Everything. So wouldn't it make sense to change over to 3D? I mean, couldn't you fit a WHOLE bunch more transistors on that CPU if it was a cube instead of just a square?

Sure there are limitations and first the scientists have to figure out HOW to do it. But this makes sense to me. Does it make sense to you? Or am I completely losing it? hehe...

 

[tontod]

A friend of mine is doing research on a 3 dimensional processor.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Essentially aren't processors already 3d? I'm pretty sure new CPU's have multiple layers, each with its own set of transistors.

I imagine with additionaly layers comes an exponential increase in cost and decrease in yields.

 

[CyberTiger]

Currnently CPU die is layered already. I would imagine it would heat up quickly with more and more layers.

 

[Phunktion]

Yeah I remember reading about with too many layers it would get too hot..
But I had an interesting idea of using a cube processor with multiple layers and to keep it cool enough stick some peltiers on 5 sides and use the sixth side to connect the CPU.. then again I'm no engineer so I'm sure it's really not that easily done or even feasible with the current technology but still it's definitely the future of computers, if it can't be used with current processors than maybe the DNA Computers which would replace transistor computers would be able to be used that way..