According to the recent rumors, both largest processor manufacturers, AMD and Intel, experience some problems with the shift to 0.13micron manufacturing technology.
AMD, which is going to use 0.13micron technology for its upcoming Thoroughbred core, faced some difficulties at the 0.13micron technology debugging stage, according to sources, which calls in question its intention to start mass production of the new Thoroughbred core in Q1’02. As you remember, Thoroughbred should replace Palomino core in Athlon XP processor family. It will be used in all models with the core clock frequency exceeding 1800MHz, i.e. Athlon XP with the 2200+ rating should theoretically be based on the new 0.13micron core. So, if we assume that the info about some problems with the new technology is true, then the new Athlon XP models may appear delayed, if AMD fails to squeeze a bit more megahertz out of the current Palomino core.
Nevertheless, the AMD representatives do not confirm the info about any problems claiming that they follow the initial plan and that in Q1 2002 the mass production of 0.13micron chips will start.
As for Intel, they also seem to be having some causes for concern. The first problems with the 0.13micron manufacturing technology arose in summer, when they found out that 193mn scanners they were going to use for the production of 0.13micron Northwood chips couldn’t be supplied in time. As a result, Intel had to use old 248nm devices, which provide 0.13micron dies of worse quality. Finally, the entire thing caused some problems with the copper interconnects and 0.13micron technology stabilization.
However, Intel’s officials, like AMD’s ones, didn’t confirm that they were having problems and tend to assure us that their Pentium 4 CPUs on 0.13micron Northwood core using copper interconnect technology will be launched in time, that is on January 7, 2002. Here we would like to remind you that at first Intel was going to launch its Northwood based CPUs in the end of this year, however, they had to postpone the launching because of some problems, which existence they persistently deny.
Despite the fact that both companies’ officials do not want to share the real state of things with 0.13micron technology with the public, claiming that no delay will take place, there is no smoke without a fire. That is why even if both companies keep their promises and launch the cores in time, there will definitely be some problems with the first supplies leading to the CPU shortages at first. Well, very soon we will see if this forecast is true or not.