Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Supply

[PeteS in CA]

Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Supply Designs
Sam Davis
ED Online ID #14830
February 4, 2007

In what is touted as one of the biggest advancements in fundamental transistor design, Intel Corporation is now using dramatically new materials to make 45-nm devices that allow faster processor speeds and enhanced PC performance. However, this technological breakthrough will require a reconfiguration of the microprocessor power supply.

A microprocessor's operating voltage usually comes from a VRM (voltage regulator module) or a circuit on the motherboard, the VRD (voltage regulator down). A 5- to 8-bit voltage identity code (VID) controls the VRM/VRD output voltage. These VID pins connect to corresponding pins on the microprocessor, which adjusts the VRM/VRD output to optimize the microprocessor's operating voltage.

According to the 2006 International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS), the 45-nm feature size will require as low as a 0.7-V operating voltage with a maximum of 198 W. Intel's present 8-bit VR11 specification for the VRM/VRD has an operating range of 0.5 to 1.6 V in 6.25-mV increments. This needs to be changed to a narrower operating voltage adjustment range with smaller increments for tighter voltage regulation. And 45-nm microprocessors may require up to 200 A, depending on the number of transistors employed and the power dissipation per transistor.

[willawake]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Sup

AMD is working on this as well.

200A is insane.......guess this will be some kickass digital vrm

another item of interest :

Intel Readies Processor with Integrated Memory Controller, I/O Functions.
Intel Tolapai with Built-In North and South Bridges to Emerge in 2007
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/dis...205043526.html
for budget systems

[PeteS in CA]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Supply

AMD is working on this as well.

The uP developers at Sun were projecting core voltages as low as .5V at internal info meetings back in 1996. And that was at a time when electronic loads were rated for voltages as low as 1 or 2 volts! I don't want to think about how 200A will get bussed into the uP chip! Nor the current slew rates that might obtain when the uP wakes from sleep mode - hundreds or thousands of amps per microsecond?

[pentium]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Sup

So pretty much we will have cpu's that will run cooler?

W00T!

[willawake]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Sup

yeah but the VRM will be roasting

[stretch0069]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Supply

crap....we just decommissioned a system that has a 5Vdc PS........350A.


i hate to have one in my house.....

[gonzo0815]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Sup

350a would make a nice arcing fire .....but vrm efficiency will go furbar with voltages that low.
Even with synchornouse rectification there would be either a lot or a few very very speciall mosfets be necesarry. the Boars would have to have a lot more layers to conduct that current.
But probably the whole board will then be a superconductor and thus absolut zero resistance.

[Topcat]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Supply

...And 45-nm microprocessors may require up to 200 A...

I really hope thats a blip, typo, or falsity! A 200A draw on any part of a PC would cause immediate meltdown. A cable capable of 200A is about 3/4" in diameter, the type of cable that actually brings power into your house. Many homes don't even have 200A electrical service.

[Per Hansson]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Supply

I really hope thats a blip, typo, or falsity! A 200A draw on any part of a PC would cause immediate meltdown. A cable capable of 200A is about 3/4" in diameter, the type of cable that actually brings power into your house. Many homes don't even have 200A electrical service.

Many homes?!

Err, many homes don't have 20aH, most are wired for 16aH 3 phase

200aH is for industrial use only, and a heavy industry at that

But that current draw is not so insane, do the math on current high-end P4 processors and you will understand (130w/1.5v=87aH)

[willawake]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Sup

is this to be powered by solutions from volterra ??? buy shares now!!!!

[PeteS in CA]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Supply

200A requires a lot of copper! I wonder whether bus bars will be necessary.

[stretch0069]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Supply

Hmmmm....now I'm going to have to check out the old DARC system to see how they ran that 350A.

[PeteS in CA]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Supply

Think 2-0 or 3-0 (double or triple ought) welding cable. Or a large bundle of AWG #10 or #12 wires.

[Topcat]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Sup

...most are wired for 16aH 3 phase...

LOL not in the US they aren't.... If you want 3-phase in your home here, bend over to have it installed.

[Per Hansson]

Re: Intel's 45-nm Technology Breakthrough Will Impact Future Microprocessor Power-Sup

LOL not in the US they aren't.... If you want 3-phase in your home here, bend over to have it installed.

Hah, yea sorry, I meant for Europe, silly me :P