Intel Corporation, a semiconductor company, started the production of a new generation of microprocessors for PCs, laptops, servers, and other computing devices through its first high-volume 45 nanometer (nm) manufacturing factory in Chandler, Arizona, the US.
The $3bn manufacturing factory, called ‘Fab 32’ will use Intel’s 45nm process technology. The 45nm transistors use a Hafnium-based high-k material for the gate dielectric and metal materials for the gate. Millions of these tiny transistors create Intel’s processors for PCs, laptops, and servers, as well as ultra low-power processors for mobile internet, consumer electronic devices, and low-cost PCs. The first of the 45nm processors is scheduled to be introduced on November 12, 2007.
The opening of Fab 32 in Arizona today is a testament to Intel’s continued investment in our most strategic asset — the most advanced, environmentally friendly manufacturing network in the world, said Paul Otellini, president and Chief Executive Officer at Intel. The magic of 45nm and our new transistor design allow us to deliver high-performance, energy-efficient processors to our customers across the entire spectrum of market segments, from the most powerful servers to a variety of mobile devices and everything in between.
Fab 32 is Intel’s sixth 300mm wafer factory and its second factory to produce 45nm chips. Intel first produced 45nm processors in its Oregon development facility, called D1D, in January 2007 and is now moving into high-volume production with the opening of Fab 32. Two additional 45nm, 300mm manufacturing factories are scheduled to open next year in Kiryat Gat, Israel, called ‘Fab 28’ and in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, called ‘Fab 11x’. Using 300mm wafers lowers the production cost per chip while diminishing overall use of resources.
Fab 32 will be an environmental friendly factory, incorporating a number of energy and water conservation measures. Intel’s 45nm process results in a 15 percent reduction in global warming emissions, and Fab 32 makes use of Intel Arizona’s water conservation and reuse program, which conserves more than 70 percent of the water.
The company also announced that it intends to seek certification for the new fab as the company’s first official Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) factory based on new criteria being developed for facilities of this kind. LEED is a green building rating system developed by the US Green Building Council that provides a set of standards for environmentally sustainable construction and requires several months of operating data before certification can be completed.
Intel has introduced three products during the last two months, including the 45nm processor. The other two products are the Q35 chipset and the 32nm process technology for microprocessors. The Q35 chipset would allow a 50% power savings over the previous-generation Intel Q965 Express Chipset. The 32nm microprocessors would be produced in 2009.
