AMD shows off 45nm quad-core CPUs

CeBIT 2008

AMD has unveiled its first 45nm quad-core chips at the CeBIT show in Hanover.

The processors were produced in Dresden at AMD's Fab 36 300mm manufacturing facility using an advanced 45nm process co-developed with IBM.

AMD said that the 45nm transistors deliver higher performance without significantly increasing clock speeds, enabling greater performance-per-watt capabilities in AMD processors and platforms.

The chips are manufactured using immersion lithography, which uses a thin meniscus of water between the lens and the wafer to shorten the wavelength of light and make the production process more efficient.

The first 45nm chips demonstrated by AMD include 'Shanghai' for servers and 'Deneb' for desktop platforms. Both are expected in the "second half of 2008".

However, some analysts are sceptical about AMD's chances at clawing back market share from Intel, which began shipping 45nm processors late last year.

"It is late, but not too late for AMD to come out with 45nm chips," said Dan Olds, an analyst at Gabriel Consulting Group.

"The degree to which these chips can compete with Intel's depends on whether 'second half of 2008' means July or late December.

"If we're talking July, this might allow AMD to pull back to parity with current Intel products. If we're talking December, AMD is still firmly behind Intel."