Intel revealed back in February that it would invest $7 billion dollar to upgrade its manufacturing plants. A big number that has not left Intel unmoved. The reason for the big investment is to meet the demand for new 32nm processors. The semiconductor giant has revealed why it is so eager to get the 32nm plants ready, Intel has already come a long way with its Westmere architecture and according to VP Paul Otellini, Intel has shipped thousands 32nm Westmere processors to PC builders and OEM partners.
Thirty or so manufacturers have already been given a chance to test the new 32nm processors to start testing Intel’s new Westmere platform.
The first Westmere processors, also known as Clarkdale, targeting the desktop market, and Arrandale that targets the mobile market.
Paul Otellini with 32nm wafer – picture courtesy of RegHardware
Westmere is basically a shrunk version of Intel’s Nehalem architecture where Clarkdale and Arrandale will also bring additional functions from Intel’s chipset on to the die, including the integrated graphics circuit.
Intel’s 32nm Westmere processors is not expected appear until near the end of 2009 or the beginning of next year, but with Intel’s pace the transition to the new process should be relatively pain-free.
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