NTMBK
Lifer
- Nov 14, 2011
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NTMBK,
Thanks for the response. That's what I was thinking, but I also have the following potential counterargument.
If Intel integrated the PCH onto the die of the main chip, then obviously the new chip gets a bit bigger, and you see power consumption improvements. Further, Intel can charge CPU + PCH prices for the new SoC.
In that case, Intel gets a shorter usable life from its old fabs, but since you would presumably need more leading-edge wafers per product generation, then your fabs -- though they have a shorter effective life -- get depreciated faster.
But more leading-edge wafers means more leading-edge fabs to feed that demand!
Honestly? We'd probably have to dig into Intel spreadsheets to find out the real cost/benefits. There's too many variables that aren't publicly available.