Exploring the Limits of Transistor Size: The Demise of Moore's Law in PCs

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In summary, Moore's Law is an observation made in 1965 that states the number of transistors on a computer chip will double every two years, leading to rapid advancements in PC technology. However, as transistors approach the atomic scale, making them smaller becomes more difficult and expensive, leading to a plateau in PC technology improvement. This could result in a decrease in the frequency of new PC models, a longer lifespan for PCs, and a shift towards other technologies such as quantum computing. Researchers are exploring solutions such as new materials and techniques, but these are still in the early stages. The slowdown of Moore's Law may also impact the wider technology industry, leading to a slowdown in the development of other technologies and a shift towards more
  • #1
Dav333
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Can somone please explain why or what the limit is in transistor size?

It doesn't look to good in the near future.


thanks.
 
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  • #2
Seems like the two main issues would be 1) how transistors are made, and 2) what they are made of.

Here's a link with more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore's_law

Why don't you read through that, and tell us what you think about the future of Moore's Law...
 
  • #3
Look up "quantum tunneling".
We can still make transistors smaller, but they won't work though :(
 

1. What is Moore's Law and how has it affected PC technology?

Moore's Law is an observation made by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore in 1965, stating that the number of transistors on a computer chip will double approximately every two years. This has led to a rapid increase in the performance and capabilities of computers, including PCs. However, in recent years, the rate of improvement has slowed down, leading to the demise of Moore's Law in PC technology.

2. Why is Moore's Law no longer applicable to PCs?

Moore's Law is based on the assumption that the size of transistors on a chip will continue to shrink, allowing more of them to be packed onto a single chip. However, as transistors approach the atomic scale, it becomes increasingly difficult and expensive to make them smaller. This has led to a plateau in the rate of improvement in PC technology.

3. How will the demise of Moore's Law impact the future of PCs?

The slowdown in the rate of improvement of PC technology means that we may see a decrease in the frequency of new and improved PC models being released. This could also lead to a longer lifespan for PCs, as they may not become obsolete as quickly as they have in the past. Additionally, there may be a shift towards other technologies, such as quantum computing, to continue advancing computing power.

4. Are there any potential solutions to continue the trend of Moore's Law in PCs?

Scientists and researchers are exploring various alternatives to continue increasing the performance and capabilities of PCs. This includes using new materials, such as graphene, for computer chips, as well as developing new techniques for making smaller transistors. However, these solutions are still in the early stages of development and may take some time to be implemented on a large scale.

5. How will the demise of Moore's Law impact the wider technology industry?

Moore's Law has had a significant impact on the entire technology industry, not just PCs. The slowdown in its application to PCs may lead to a slowdown in the development of other technologies, such as smartphones and tablets, that rely on the advancement of computing power. It may also lead to a shift towards more energy-efficient and sustainable technologies, as the current trend of increasing power and speed may no longer be sustainable.

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