What is wrong with 5nm, 3nm, 1nm.. CPU Technology Nodes explained

In this video I discuss modern Process Nodes and explain why smaller transistors are faster and more power efficient. Why nm matter? And should you believe CPU marketing?
#nanometers #processnodes #transistors

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[pacifico]

I've seen too many people comparing nm directly and saying Intel is far behind, it's great to hear an actual explanation. I also love to see that as we reach atomic scale, engineers need to be creative and change the geometry of the transistor. From planar to FinFET, to Gate All Around and more.

[lachlanc.]

As a student/researcher with more of an analog/RF background (as opposed to digital like CPU/GPU), the main benefit of technology scaling is increased cutoff frequency. It is the frequency at which the transistor provides unity current gain. Cutoff frequency is a function of transconductance (gm) and parasitic capacitance (mostly Cgs and Cgd). Above this frequency the transistor stops acting like an amplifier. For example, TSMC 180nm has a cutoff frequency of approximately 50GHz meaning that it is not practical to make analog/RF circuits that operate at or near this frequency. The cutoff frequency of CMOS devices continued to increase with technology scaling until 22nm when the cutoff frequency peaked at around 350GHz. In fact, newer nodes like 16nm, 10nm, 7, etc. have cutoff frequencies significantly lower than 22nm. FinFET transistors have good density for digital circuits but the complex geometry adds undesirable parasitics at high frequencies.

Chip are most commonly made in CMOS but other materials like GaAs or InP have carrier mobility that far exceeds that of CMOS, leading to much faster transistors and better analog/RF qualities. Although non-CMOS technologies are far less dense (like 100K transistors/mm^2 instead of 100M/mm^2). Perhaps heterogenous integration will be necessary in the future to continue improving analog/RF performance. You could have the density and Moore's law scaling of CMOS with III-V transistors for RF that have very good high speed performance.

[LinuxJediMaster]

This is by far, IMO, the best electronics technology channel on YT. I often find myself thinking "oh she just covered a point I was wondering about". Anastasi explanations are brief and concise, but packed full of information; it is like her content is the exact opposite of "fluff". Plus to top it off (not that it has any bearing on these subjects) obviously she is absolutely gorgeous .

[eaaeeeea]

They should go for transistor count per square or cubic micrometer. Would be the easiest to undrerstand for everyone, and would be more telling of the actual performance. And as a bonus, it would rise continuously as technology progresses.

[thehobe]

This is an excellent review of the present fine pitch semiconductor processes. As a retired Analog design engineer, this was a better explanation of many nanometer numbers thrown out by the marketing departments of semiconductor suppliers. Very good graphics as well!

[rdwatson]

Great overview. The numbers are still useful for comparing different chips from the same manufacturer, but not for other manufacturers.

[wucwug]

Anastasi, this is an awesome video because the graphics you used enchanced your explanation greatly. You arrange the flow of the topics very systematically. I was a semicond equipment engineer. I'm amazed by the simplicity of your naration and explained to the comprehension of the lowest assisible knowledge in the field. wow.. congratulations! great job!!

[miguelJsesma]

I really though that nm was a real measure for transistors, but your explanation makes much more sense. Thanks Anastasi.

[MikkoRantalainen]

I hope the industry moves to transistors per square millimeter sooner than later. That's a measurement that doesn't allow the marketing department to get too creative. It also directly tells the usable transistor count instead of some measurement that cannot be interpolated over big areas.

[CommodoreGreg]

Anastasi, your subject matter expertise and passion really resonates with how I think and where my interests are. Fantastic channel. Thank you and please don't change!

[abhisheksarkar]

Hi Anastasi! As a bachelor student of Electronics, I cannot thank you enough for this video. I had tried searching for information and distinction on the technology nodes in many books, videos, papers and webpages, but this is where I understood it fully. Thanks!

[Sandra-svow]

Thank you Anastasia for your great videos. I have watched all of them and can't wait until you have the next one up!

[gropatapouf]

I am totally clueless when it comes to the inner circuits of machines and yet I understood most of your explanations.

You're great I hope you're a teacher, thanks for your work!

[MatteuskVlog]

I would love to see a video explaining and comparing different gate types what are used. Like apple m1 chip, amd ryzen and nvidia gpu gates if they have similiar or different gate types and how it affects batterylife and powerconsumption. Love your videos, style of the videos and overall feeling🤘🏼

[razoraz]

Amazing that this video is promoted to me by youtube a year after it was released. A sign of quality content. When I was a kid in the 90's I somehow got intel to send me technical manuals about it's latest CPUs... I thought they were cool but above my head. Well I ended up in software/web development at age 16 and since but I've always been fascinated by the silicon innovations underneath. Thank you Anastasia for giving us a peek into the physics of it all.

[dbs]

Amazing explanation.. no one can explain this simple this complex technology! Great work👏

[le-berry]

I certainly enjoyed your expertise and presentation in a technical but understandable manner. Loved it !!!

[tigertiger]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 with 45 years in heavy & marine engineering also production machining.., I have but some appreciation of your industry and the accuracy & precision…., it blows my tiny mind…👍🙏🙏🙏
And you are so youndg👍

[abhir]

Thumbnail made me wonder why a shampoo ad was mentioning computer chips

[konradzluh]

It is always good to put low pass filter on "vocal" stream and also cut some excessive high mids frequencies with equalizer to make speech more accessible to the listener... tons of information from this great channel are worth it