IBM debuts 110Ghz(!) chip.

[Fausto]

Uh....damn. That about covers it.

Story here.

Fausto

 

[RedRooster]

That's impressive, to say the least. I'm wondering if it actually performs like a 110 Ghz chip should in comparison to today's available models, of if it's just a Cyrix/Winchip-like con-job where they spout crazy numbers, yet the thing only performs like a 1.2Ghz T-Bird.

 

[MajesticMoose]

damn aren't they supposed to do this kinda gradually? They haven't even gotten 10 GHz on the market yet and now they have 110 "deliverable"

m00se

 

[Fausto]

<< They haven't even gotten 10 GHz on the market yet and now they have 110 "deliverable" >>



You will of course notice there is no mention of price. Will likely be one of those "if you have to ask...you can't afford it" deals. I guess the upshot is that we may be getting some big bumps in consumer chips in the not-too-distant future via trickle-down technology? We can always hope, I suppose.

Fausto

 

[Czar]

ah


<< The integrated circuit is based on silicon germanium chip-making technology and will be used in data communications equipment like switches and routers that are used in optical communication networks, IBM said. Such equipment is sold by companies like Cisco Systems. >>


Seems that this processor is far from powerful, it just processes simple data extremely fast.

 

[CKDragon]

I will be the hero of Team Anandtech SETI team when I get my 110 Ghz rig in the game

CK

 

[Jerboy]

<< I will be the hero of Team Anandtech SETI team when I get my 110 Ghz rig in the game

CK >>



hmmm... How many bits is that processor anyway?


They could either go narrow and fast like P4 or wide and slow like UltraSparc and yield a comparable performance.

 

[Fausto]

<< Seems that this processor is far from powerful, it just processes simple data extremely fast >>



Right, but it stands to reason that the technology for this speed could be applied to a more complex chip aimed at the PC market to make some stupid fast CPUs. It will be a while, I would imagine, but I don't see why they couldn't apply the silicon-germanium technology to CPUs eventually.

Fausto

 

[Facin]

What all of you except for Czar are failing to realize is that this is not a Microprocessor of the level that a P4 is. These processors that run at these speeds have a very reduced instruction that are usually fairly simple. Communication devices like routers and such rarely do very complicated things, but they need to do them extremely fast.

Regardless, it will be really interesting when Intel and company start using technology like this to make there P5s or Hammers. Always getting better.

 

[SyahM]

fuhh ... do i need one of this now? it'll improve my M$ word performance by what %? dengg .. so much power .

 

[Jerboy]

<< fuhh ... do i need one of this now? it'll improve my M$ word performance by what %? dengg .. so much power . >>




As fast as you can overclock your fingers without losing accuracy.

 

[Miramonti]

Actual results may vary. Offer not valid in all states. See dealer for other restrictions.

 

[joohang]

<< Seems that this processor is far from powerful, it just processes simple data extremely fast. >>


Exactly.

But then 110 GHz is still impressive.

 

[AndrewR]

It also said that silicon germanium works at high frequencies while also consuming less power than its competitors.

I do hope they can work this technology into consumer processors quickly (no pun intended) because it would be nice to reduce the dependence on buzzsaw cooling fans that need to be clamped on with Herculean pressure.

 

[Zenmervolt]

<<IBM's current fastest version of the silicon germanium chip runs at about 80 GHz.>>

So, I'll be the third to say that this really isn't like a processor in a computer. Still, it's only a matter of time before it trickles down into computer CPUs.

On another note; w00t! Go Big Blue!

ZV

 

[NogginBoink]

Uhm... they don't say what this chip DOES.

For all we know, it could be the world's fastest AND gate.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

It's silicon-germanium based, AFAIK, those are too expensive for P4-like mass production. As others said it is very likely an utra-quick RISC very task specific processor.

-Ice

 

[ultimatebob]

<< Uhm... they don't say what this chip DOES.

For all we know, it could be the world's fastest AND gate. >>



It seems to be a "ring oscillator" circuit, used specifically for communications applications. It's not exactly something that you'll see in a desktop processor, but it will allow the construction of network devices like 100 Gigabit/sec switches.