http://www.intel.com/technology/silicon/45nm_technology.htm...More Performance for Exponentially Less Cost
In one of the biggest advancements in fundamental transistor design, Intel will use dramatically different transistor materials to build the hundreds of millions of microscopic 45 nanometer (nm) transistors inside the next generation of the company's Intel® Core™2 family of processors. Intel already has the world's first 45nm CPUs in-house - the first of at least fifteen 45nm processor products in development. This new transistor breakthrough will allow Intel to continue delivering record-breaking PC, laptop and server processor speeds while reducing the amount of electrical leakage from transistors that can hamper chip and PC design, size, power consumption, noise and costs. It also ensures that Moore's Law, a high-tech industry axiom that transistor counts double about every two years to deliver ever more functionality at exponentially decreasing cost, thrives well into the next decade.[continued]
I don't believe in Moore's law.. It's more of a theory than anything.
The biggest change to computer chips in 40 years is the transition from traditional silicon-based chips to chips made with a new material called gallium nitride. This change is expected to greatly increase the speed and performance of computers, as gallium nitride has higher electron mobility and can operate at higher frequencies than silicon.
Yes, the switch to gallium nitride chips is also expected to make computers more energy efficient. This is because gallium nitride has a lower resistance and can handle higher voltages, allowing for more power-efficient operation. This means that devices using these chips will require less energy to function, leading to longer battery life and reduced electricity consumption.
Gallium nitride chips are much smaller than traditional silicon chips, meaning that they can be used to create smaller and more compact devices. This will likely lead to thinner and lighter laptops, smartphones, and other electronic devices. It may also open up possibilities for new types of devices, such as wearable technology or flexible screens.
While there are many potential benefits to switching to gallium nitride chips, there are also some potential drawbacks. One concern is the cost of production, as gallium nitride is a relatively new and expensive material. Another concern is the potential for compatibility issues with existing software and hardware, which may need to be updated or redesigned to work with the new chips.
The transition to gallium nitride chips is already underway, with some companies starting to incorporate them into their products. However, it may still take a few years before they become widely available in consumer devices. As with any major change in technology, there will likely be a period of transition and development before these chips become the norm in the industry.