Intel's 3D Tri-Gate transistors get smaller, faster, more energy efficient (photos)
Intel's Tri-Gate transistors usher in the next era of Moore's Law and open the door to a new generation of innovation.
Intel's new 22-nanometer 3D transistors
Intel today announced what it called a major technical breakthrough and historic innovation in microprocessing, introducing a 3D transistor called Tri-Gate that will result in both performance and power improvements in the 22-nanometer "Ivy Bridge" chips.
Dadi Perlmutter, executive vice president and general manager of Intel's architecture group, holds a silicon wafer produced using the new 22nm 3D manufacturing process.
Dadi Perlmutter, executive vice president and general manager of Intel's architecture group, holds a silicon wafer produced using the new 22nm 3D manufacturing process.
3D transistors mean energy savings and improved performance
A fundamental departure from the standard two-dimensional transistor structure, these 3D Tri-Gate transistors enable chips to operate at lower voltage and with less energy leakage. At the 22nm production level, 22-billionths of a meter, there will be a 37 percent performance increase versus Intels' 32nm transistors.
3D Tri-Gate transistors
Previously, conducting channels moved along a flat plane through the gate, but the 22nm Tri-Gate transistor forms conducting channels on three sides of a vertical fin.
3D Tri-Gate transistors
An extreme close-up of 3D Intel's new Tri-Gate transistors shows the honeycomb like structure.
Intel's continuation of Moore's Law
Intel says that ultimately the new 3D transistors will allow the company to continue on the path of Moore's Law, making future devices faster and more energy efficient.
Intel Executive VP Dadi Perlmutter
Intel Executive VP Dadi Perlmutter shows off a laptop used to prototype the capabilities of the new 3D transistors.
Dadi Perlmutter, Mark Bohr, and Bill Holt
Intel Executive VP Dadi Perlmutter, left, Senior Fellow Mark Bohr, and Senior VP Bill Holt take questions following the unveiling of Intel's new 3D transistor structure Wednesday in San Francisco.
Showing off Intel's new transistors
Hardware used internally to test Intel's new 3D transistor structure shows off the capabilities of the next-generation chips.
More Galleries
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?