Chilly chip shatters speed record

**Adam** · 20th June 2006, 01:33 PM

Enlarge Image

The world's fastest silicon-based microchip has been demonstrated by scientists in the US.
The prototype operates at speeds up to 500 gigahertz (GHz), more than 100 times faster than desktop PC chips.
To break the world record, the researchers from IBM and the Georgia Institute of Technology had to super-cool the chip with liquid helium.
The team believe the device could eventually speed up wireless networks and develop cheaper mobile phones.
"Faster and faster chips open up new applcations and reduce costs for exisitng products," said Professor David Ahlgren of IBM.
Exotic chips
At the moment, most microchips are made from silicon.
But in recent years, there has been a realisation that silicon cannot match other materials in terms of processing speed.

The record breaking chips could be used in mobile phones

For applications that require huge amounts of calculations every second, like collision warning systems in cars and trucks, companies use exotic materials to produce the necessary power.
Materials like gallium arsenide are commonly used, but are expensive and difficult to fabricate.
However, the chip industry would like to continue to use proven silicon manufacturing technology that is reliable and cheap.
The new experiments were part of a project to explore the speed limits of devices made of silicon and germanium.
Super cooled
Germanium is already added to the silicon chips used in mobile phones to make them operate more efficiently.

A decade ago we couldn't even envisage being able to run at these speeds

Professor David Ahlgren, IBM

Adding the element allows chips to run faster and use less power. Importantly, they can also be fabricated using existing silicon techniques.
These chips are already known to operate at faster and faster speeds as they are cooled.
To break the speed record, the researchers super-cooled an IBM prototype of a new "high frequency" device to -268.5 degrees Celsius, using liquid helium.
This temperature is just above absolute zero, the theoretical minimum temperature possible. When cooled, the chips were able to perform half a trillion calculations every second, a speed of 500 GHz.
By comparison, a powerful desktop PC is capable of about five billion calculations per second.
"A decade ago we couldn't even envisage being able to run at these speeds," said Professor Ahlgren.
Next generation
At room temperature the chips still managed to outperform standard silicon chips, running at about 350 billion calculations per second.
However, the researchers say they can push the chips even further.
"We observe effects in these devices at cryogenic temperatures which potentially make them faster than simple theory would suggest," said Professor John Cressler of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
The team believe it is possible to make chips run at 1,000 Ghz, or one Terahertz, at room temperature. "Understanding the basic physics of these advanced transistors arms us with knowledge that could make the next generation of silicon-based integrated circuits even better," said Profeesor Cressler.

Minotaur2k · 20th June 2006, 01:40 PM

1 Terahertz at room temperature....just the thought of grandchildren asking me if I really used a 1 Gigahertz processor when I was younger is a scary thought.

Mapper · 20th June 2006, 01:40 PM

Geesh, I tell ya, The latest pc is never the latest a week later heh.

**Ezekiel** · 20th June 2006, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minotaur2k

1 Terahertz at room temperature....just the thought of grandchildren asking me if I really used a 1 Gigahertz processor when I was younger is a scary thought.

And theyll have Gigabit internet, true 3d rendering, and VR equipment the really enhance the internet gaming experience...

**Adam** · 20th June 2006, 02:12 PM

Gigabit internet is allready here, at least, in London. (2gb per second speeds, heh)

Mapper · 20th June 2006, 02:48 PM

Lucky London people!

**Dra'ki Areese** · 20th June 2006, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kettlewhistle78

And theyll have Gigabit internet, true 3d rendering, and VR equipment the really enhance the internet gaming experience...

and just think, UO's graphics will still sux

20th June 2006, 01:33 PM	#1
Adam Lead Administrator Owner Join Date: Oct 1990 Posts: 6,428 Gold: 150,879 Thanks: 60 Thanked 948 Times in 312 Posts	Chilly chip shatters speed record Chilly chip shatters speed record Enlarge Image The world's fastest silicon-based microchip has been demonstrated by scientists in the US. The prototype operates at speeds up to 500 gigahertz (GHz), more than 100 times faster than desktop PC chips. To break the world record, the researchers from IBM and the Georgia Institute of Technology had to super-cool the chip with liquid helium. The team believe the device could eventually speed up wireless networks and develop cheaper mobile phones. "Faster and faster chips open up new applcations and reduce costs for exisitng products," said Professor David Ahlgren of IBM. Exotic chips At the moment, most microchips are made from silicon. But in recent years, there has been a realisation that silicon cannot match other materials in terms of processing speed. The record breaking chips could be used in mobile phones For applications that require huge amounts of calculations every second, like collision warning systems in cars and trucks, companies use exotic materials to produce the necessary power. Materials like gallium arsenide are commonly used, but are expensive and difficult to fabricate. However, the chip industry would like to continue to use proven silicon manufacturing technology that is reliable and cheap. The new experiments were part of a project to explore the speed limits of devices made of silicon and germanium. Super cooled Germanium is already added to the silicon chips used in mobile phones to make them operate more efficiently. A decade ago we couldn't even envisage being able to run at these speeds Professor David Ahlgren, IBM Adding the element allows chips to run faster and use less power. Importantly, they can also be fabricated using existing silicon techniques. These chips are already known to operate at faster and faster speeds as they are cooled. To break the speed record, the researchers super-cooled an IBM prototype of a new "high frequency" device to -268.5 degrees Celsius, using liquid helium. This temperature is just above absolute zero, the theoretical minimum temperature possible. When cooled, the chips were able to perform half a trillion calculations every second, a speed of 500 GHz. By comparison, a powerful desktop PC is capable of about five billion calculations per second. "A decade ago we couldn't even envisage being able to run at these speeds," said Professor Ahlgren. Next generation At room temperature the chips still managed to outperform standard silicon chips, running at about 350 billion calculations per second. However, the researchers say they can push the chips even further. "We observe effects in these devices at cryogenic temperatures which potentially make them faster than simple theory would suggest," said Professor John Cressler of the Georgia Institute of Technology. The team believe it is possible to make chips run at 1,000 Ghz, or one Terahertz, at room temperature. "Understanding the basic physics of these advanced transistors arms us with knowledge that could make the next generation of silicon-based integrated circuits even better," said Profeesor Cressler. Get your own personal forum Like these ones - Personal forum listing Bored @ work? Play in our arcade! Useful Tips on how to use UOForums Open your own blog

20th June 2006, 01:40 PM	#2
Minotaur2k Meow Join Date: Feb 2006 Shard: Catskills Posts: 580 Gold: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Chilly chip shatters speed record 1 Terahertz at room temperature....just the thought of grandchildren asking me if I really used a 1 Gigahertz processor when I was younger is a scary thought. There are no stupid questions......only stupid people!

20th June 2006, 01:40 PM	#3
Mapper Europa for the win! Join Date: Jul 2005 Shard: Europa Posts: 284 Gold: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Chilly chip shatters speed record Geesh, I tell ya, The latest pc is never the latest a week later heh.

20th June 2006, 02:12 PM	#5
Adam Lead Administrator Owner Join Date: Oct 1990 Posts: 6,428 Gold: 150,879 Thanks: 60 Thanked 948 Times in 312 Posts	Re: Chilly chip shatters speed record Gigabit internet is allready here, at least, in London. (2gb per second speeds, heh) Get your own personal forum Like these ones - Personal forum listing Bored @ work? Play in our arcade! Useful Tips on how to use UOForums Open your own blog

20th June 2006, 02:48 PM	#6
Mapper Europa for the win! Join Date: Jul 2005 Shard: Europa Posts: 284 Gold: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Chilly chip shatters speed record Lucky London people!

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