AMD is leaning increasingly on IBM as it battles with Intel for next-generation microprocessor manufacturing leadership. And the payout to IBM is significant.
AMD fab
AMD fab
(Credit: AMD)
First some background. On Tuesday, AMD announced that IBM had successfully produced a working test chip using next-generation Extreme Ultra-Violet (EUV) lithography for the critical first layer of metal connections across an entire chip. Previous projects utilizing EUV produced working chip components on only a very small portion of the chip.
Why EUV? The size of transistors and the metal lines that connect them is directly related to the wavelength of light that is used to project a chip design onto a wafer. EUV lithography uses a wavelength of 13.5 nanometers (nm), significantly shorter than today's 193 nm lithography techniques, allowing the march toward smaller and smaller chip features to continue. (Though EUV has its own set of problems discussed below.) EUV is currently targeted at the 22nm generation of chips, due in three to five years. Intel, a few years back, was targeting EUV for the 45nm generation of chips but abandoned it.
According to the Tuesday announcement, IBM and its partners patterned the first layer of metal interconnects (between the transistors), then, after other processes, the EUV device structures underwent electrical testing at AMD, with transistors showing characteristics consistent with those of test chips built using more standard techniques, the two companies said.
This development follows a series joint disclosures over the past six years that highlight the crucial expertise that IBM provides to AMD. The two companies began cooperating on advanced chip manufacturing in 2002 when AMD was having trouble with silicon-on-insulator technology, or SOI. AMD got SOI to work with help from IBM and they have been renewing agreements periodically since then. First, in September 2004 to include development of technologies through 2008 for 32nm manufacturing and then, again, in November 2005 the agreement was extended through 2011 for the 22nm process. Among other areas, AMD is now cooperating with IBM on "high-k/metal gate" transistor technology for next-generation 32nm chips--a technology that Intel is employing in its current 45nm chips.
The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition has arrived for $399.99, but we wonder if it was really needed or just a simple cash-in.
We're talking about a limited edition item here, and by definition, those aren’t exactly 'needed'. But when you look at what’s included, the controller, the strap, and a few months of Game Pass, it actually turns out to be a surprisingly good deal.
What’s weird is that this is a VR headset branded with Xbox, a platform that doesn’t even support VR. And Xbox is part of Microsoft, a company that more or less walked away from all of its VR efforts. Yet somehow, this ends up being the best value available for a VR headset. If you're looking to get into VR, unless you're buying used, it’s hard to find anything that offers more for the price.
Nope, wasn't need, but It's another incentive to try GP, and retain increase or maintain subs.
It lends to the "Everything is an Xbox" marketing they have going on...if it has a screen, it's a Xbox.
I don't see the harm here, it's a limited item...shit MS and Sony have Sneaker deals as well, are those necessary? Nope, but if you like PS or Xbox, or are a collector of limited edition of stuff then, why not?
Ubisoft: "Hello everyone,
Tomorrow, June 25, we will be releasing Title Update 1.0.6 for Assassin's Creed Shadows @ 2 pm UTC / 10 am EDT / 7 am PT.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to report these issues to us via the Bug reporter. As always, you can contact our support team if you run into any trouble.
Have a look at tomorrow's upcoming changes and be sure to check out the Year 1 Roadmap for more information on what's coming next for Assassin's Creed Shadows!"
Sloclap's Rematch is far from done with major improvements on the way for the multiplayer football game after launch.
Any multiplayer online game that doesn't launch with crossplay is a big skip from me...
