Taiwan's motherboard makers are working with companies from around world to get ready for Intel's next generation gigahertz (Ghz) microprocessor, with the key obstacles being power and cooling.
According to Taiwan motherboard-maker First International Computer (FIC, 大眾電腦股份有限公司), one of the world's largest motherboard designers, the new 1Ghz chips should be in computers by the end of the third quarter unless its power requirements cannot be met.
According to FIC's motherboard product manager, power is a big problem with higher speed microprocessors. When a microprocessor's speed passes 1Ghz, its power needs are "completely different."
She said FIC has already developed a motherboard for Advanced Micro Devices' (AMD) "Athlon" 1Ghz chip, and are waiting for Intel's Pentium III 1Ghz chip to come out. When Intel's chip is out, FIC expects to use metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET) to fix power problems associated with the higher speed chip. MOSFETs are transistors that control the power supply to the processor.
One of the key developers in the field is US-based Intersil Corporation (
During a press briefing, Intersil engineer Chris Kocon explained that MOSFETs control the current to the processor while a computer is running. For example, when the computer switches into sleep mode, the processor needs less current, so the MOSFET will adjust accordingly.
The new Intel 1Ghz microprocessors now need MOSFETs that can handle 40 to 50 amps of power, said Intersil marketing manager Krishna Kuchimanchi. This kind of power consumption would require between four and five MOSFETs using existing technology just to prevent the motherboard from catching fire due to overheating. But, he said, there is no space for that many MOSFETs.
"Basically, we have four times the power demand for the 1Ghz chip but computer sizes are getting smaller and smaller," said Kuchimanchi. "This is very tricky."
He explained that Intersil's product is different in that it adds more "trenches" to silicon to enable its MOSFETs to handle more power. They call their new technology "Deep Trench" technology.
In older MOSFETs, the space between trenches was too wide, wasting a lot of power, according to Kuchimanchi. Intersil moved the trenches much closer together, enabling the company to add more trenches which saves power.
The new "Deep Trench" MOSFETs also help extend battery life. "MOSFETs control current when a computer is running. For example, when the computer is in sleep mode, the MOSFET will make power adjustments," explained Kocon.
Kuchimanchi pointed out that Intersil came to Taiwan because there are more motherboard designers and produces here than anywhere else in the world.
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