Published in Graphics

ATI might be the first with 40nm

by on22 December 2008

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Nvidia just got to 55nm


ATI got the manufacturing right. When it comes to transition to a smaller manufacturing process, Nvidia is far from being able to match them. Ever since NV30 times, Jensen was very conservative when it came to shifting to a new process for the high-end chips and this has started to affect Nvidia big time.


ATI made a few mistakes with R600 and R520 before, its last two big chips, but at the same time it was always the first to 65, 55nm and we are now hearing ATI should be the first with 40nm.

A smaller process always means a lower TDP, at least if you compare the same chip in 55nm and 40nm for example, and the chip itself is smaller and if the yields are mature, it usually ends up cheaper. At the same time a new process lets the manufacturers clock the chips even higherm and at some point some of the graphics boys might actually launch a GPU that might work at over 1,000MHz milestone.

ATI’s first 40nm should be out in Q2 2009 and Nvidia might have a 40nm chip at the same time, but we are not sure if that chip is actually a high-end one.

 

Last modified on 23 December 2008
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