The Long And Short Of Chip SpeedsThe Long And Short Of Chip Speeds

Computer chips may get a major speed boost thanks to technical breakthroughs IBM and Intel disclosed last week that involve changing the shape of the silicon used to create microprocessors. IBM researchers say they can stretch silicon atoms in a way that lowers their electrical resistance, key to speeding overall chip performance. Taking a different approach, researchers at Intel have managed to shrink the internal components of silicon transistors down to 20-billionths of a centimeter, 30% smaller than today's state of the art.

The technologies operate on similar principles. IBM's approach lowers resistance in part by reducing the number of silicon atoms within a given area, reducing electrical interference. Intel is cutting the size of the silicon itself. IBM scientists say their breakthrough adds one generation of performance improvement in a single step. "It's like gaining a year and a half on our usual pace," says Jeff Walser, manager of high-performance semiconductor technologies at IBM.

IBM will likely use the technology in chips that drive high-performance servers, Walser says. But the company won't be the sole beneficiary. IBM also builds microprocessors for PC industry customers, including Apple Computer and Intel rival Transmeta Corp. IBM says it expects to put its new technology into production as early as 2003.

Intel's approach can boost chip speeds by 25% because electrons flowing across silicon will have less distance to travel. Intel says it may now be possible to ship chips as fast as 20 GHz by 2007. "With that much power, we can imagine an almost human level of interaction with the PC," says Intel scientist Rob Willoner. Intel's fastest chip to date is its 1.7-GHz Pentium 4.

Despite the potential, experts caution that commercializing the new technologies could take longer than either vendor predicts. Says Manoj Nadkarni, founder and principal analyst at ChipInvestor.com, "Whenever you're working with a new process, unanticipated problems are inevitable."