Intel Details Accelerated 32nm Processor Roadmap

On Tuesday in Washington, D.C., Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini announced a $7 billion investment in U.S.-based manufacturing facilities. Those factories, in New Mexico, Arizona, and Oregon will be upgraded to manufacture using 32nm manufacturing technology. At the same time, in San Francisco, Intel held a news briefing detailing, and demoing, the 32nm Westmere family of processors.

Westmere doesn't feature a new microarchitecture; it's just Nehalem migrated to a 32nm process. The company appears pretty confident in its 32nm process, however, as it said it will accelerate 32nm production with Westmere production in 2009 and a "de-emphasis" of the 45nm Auburndale chips that Intel planned to let co-exist with Westmere.

Instead Intel will overlap the 32nm dual-core chips with the upcoming of 45nm quad-core processors, Lynnfield (desktop) and Clarksfield (mobile).

Key points from the news conference and presentation:

• Intel has developed a 32nm logic technology with industry-leading features
• Intel is first to demonstrate working 32nm processors
• Intel’s 32nm process is on track for production readiness in Q4 ’09
• Both CPU and SoC versions of this 32nm process will be available
• Intel’s strength as an integrated device manufacturer allows us to continue to deliver new generations of advanced process technology on a 2 year cadence

The first Westmere CPUs will be the dual-core Clarkdale (desktop) and Arrandale (mobile) processors. These chips will also feature a 45nm integrated graphics and memory controller. They will also add seven instructions, Carryless multiply (PCLMULQDQ) and six instructions for AES.

Hard to imagine Intel leapfrogging into 32nm so quickly; AMD isn't expected to intro 32nm chips until 2011. This definitely sets up Intel again to grab more market share from AMD; anyone remember the days when AMD was the gamer's choice?