What you need to know
- Intel just released two videos that break down how chips are manufactured.
- One video is more technical, while the other paints things with a broader brush.
- Intel has had several issues making its 10nm processors.
Intel just released two videos which explain how it manufactures it processors. The videos go through the entire process, from concept to final production. The first video, titled "From Sand to Silicon: The Making of a Microchip," takes a deep dive into the innovations that Intel has made in the processor space. The second video, titled "How Intel Makes Chips: Concept to Customer," is more basic. It goes over the process of coming up with, designing, and making chips.
The videos came out in mid-February, but they're relevant now as Intel continues to struggle with its 10nm chips. Earlier this month, Intel explained how it believes it will lag behind AMD process tech until late 2021. If that is accurate, Intel won't catch up with AMD until it makes the 7nm node. Tom's Hardware recently highlighted the two videos.
"From Sand to Silicon: The Making of a Microchip" covers Intel's FinFET technology, COAG technology, and explains how complex 3-D clusters of wires are used on transistors. The wires used for this can be merely atoms thick, making the process very technical.
The second video from Intel (shown above) is more consumer-friendly. Rather than breaking down every technical detail of chip manufacturing, it goes over chip development with a broad brush. It's even narrated by a chip with a face on it. While it's more basic, it's also insightful. It goes over details such as how chips are made up of over thirty layers despite being so thin and how transistors can turn on and off over five billion times per second. It also has some fun facts, like the fact that the manufacturing process requires diamond saws.
