Penryn / Ivy Bridge

I never intended this to be a condensed matter physics blog but there have been a few developments in the last few months! Intel look like they have got their 3D transistors sorted for the next gen of x64 processors "Transistor Technology Breakthrough Represents Biggest Change To Computer Chips In 40 Years"

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110505092252.htm

For the first time since the invention of silicon transistors over 50 years ago, transistors using a three-dimensional structure will be put into high-volume manufacturing. Intel will introduce a revolutionary 3-D transistor design called Tri-Gate, first disclosed by Intel in 2002, into high-volume manufacturing at the 22-nanometer (nm) node in an Intel chip codenamed "Ivy Bridge."