IBM hits 500GHZ

[TheBuGz]

IBM has built a transistor that runs 100 times faster than current chips, a development that could pave the way for ultra-fast computers and wireless networks.

IBM achieved the record speeds by building one from silicon laced with exotic chemical element germanium.
"What we've been doing in the last several years is pushing the absolute limits of silicon technology," said Bernie Meyerson, IBM head of semiconductor research.

"What we've done in demonstrating this is that we're nowhere near having tapped the limits of silicon performance, and that's very encouraging," Mr Meyerson said.

The transistor achieved a speed of 500GHz - more than 100 times faster than the fastest PC chips sold today, and about 250 times faster than the typical mobile phone chip, Mr Meyerson said.

That speed was hit only when IBM researchers, working with counterparts from the Georgia Institute of Technology, cooled the transistor to near absolute zero. But the device still ran at 300GHz at room temperature, Mr Meyerson said.

Clay Ryder, president of Sageza Group, a technology market research firm, said the breakthrough should lead to faster processors, but ones that would run far below the top speed demonstrated by IBM.

"We can build a (race car) that can go 240 miles per hour, but is that what you're going to drive to work? No, but you learn things that you can put in mass-produced cars," Mr Ryder said.

Most improvements in chip speeds over the years have come from shrinking the size of transistors, but IBM's approach is to tweak the silicon on the atomic level, meaning that transistors can be designed from the ground up with very specific applications in mind.

Mr Meyerson forecast that the advances would show up in real products within a couple years, probably in chips to power super-fast wireless networks capable of moving a DVD-quality movie in as little as 5 seconds.

[zainadeel]

WOW!!!!!!!!

[KickAssCop]

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[TheBuGz]

Originally Posted by KickAssCop

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[DeaD-DAWG]

hahaha baray laanti hain ... seriously.. now he also gave hint ov it.. that they r able to give u 300Ghz, but no.. they'd make poor customers suffer.. pehlay 10Ghz, phir 20Ghz ..lol..ahista ahista.. koi 10 saal tak idhar le ker jayeinge..

Damn these proc manufacturers!
suckerz

[Destructor]

do you have any idea for how much if they ever do gonna sell this 500ghz for!!!?as it is 250 times faster than the ones we use its gonna be 250times more expensive!!

[DrBilal]

thats just irrational thinking

[cray85]

you fools! this is a BiCMOS transistor.. it can be used in Analog RF circuits... modern RF devices work at really high frequencies so obviosuly they need a transistor capable of switching at high speeds... 50 GHz transistors aren't uncommon...

BTW don't expect to see this stuff in CMOS (digital) transistors too soon.... Germanium is expensive like hell.... and toxic too!

edit: germenium IS used in minute quantities to make strained silicon circuits (the digital sort).. but they are not actually used as one of the main elements in them (unlike in the IBM example)...

sorry had to clear that up

[DeaD-DAWG]

ok bhatti saab point noted! heh!