Intel Kicks Off 32nm 'Westmere' Production

Santa Clara, California-based Intel, the world's largest vendor of microprocessors, has reportedly started the production process on its new line of 32nm-based chips, which the company has codenamed Westmere. The new chips and the new manufacturing process are expected to represent a significant step into the future for the chip maker, as the company plans to update its entire processor lineup with the introduction of new products that will take advantage of the said manufacturing process. Intel, according to reports, will place a significant focus on the new 32nm Westmere chips, at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) 2009 event, which kicks off today.

The beginning of the production process of the new 32nm Westmere processors represents a major step for the world's leading chip maker, as this is a considerable shift from the company's current line of 45nm chips. At IDF 2009, the company is expected to talk more about the 32nm process, as well as the first products that will take advantage of it, the Clarkdale and Arrandale chips, designed for the desktop and notebook segments, respectively. These new chips are expected to boast a CPU and a graphics core put together in the same package, a considerable change from the company's traditional CPU design.

Intel will also discuss about the development of a new system-on-chip technology that will complement its CPU efforts and that will enable the chip maker to deliver improved versions of its SoC products for the consumer, commercial, communications and other markets. Intel will also take the opportunity to announce new transistor improvements during the IDF event.

The Intel Developer Forum is slated to begin today, in San Francisco, and be the place for new Intel technologies and products, but also an opportunity for the chip maker to express its view for 2010 and the upcoming holiday season. The event will be a place where about 5,000 developers, technologists and journalists will get in touch with all of Intel's latest and upcoming products.