Exceeding Limits: The 621 Million Transistor Chip

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the capabilities and implications of the KiloCore chip, which contains 621 million transistors and is noted for its energy efficiency and parallel processing capabilities. Participants explore the significance of transistor density, the uniqueness of the chip's architecture, and the broader context of modern chip technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express surprise at the KiloCore chip's transistor count, questioning whether it exceeds current limits for transistor density.
  • Others argue that modern CPUs often exceed 1 billion transistors, suggesting that 621 million may not be particularly impressive in that context.
  • One participant highlights the chip's unique massively parallel architecture and its energy efficiency, comparing its power consumption favorably to that of high-end GPUs.
  • Another participant acknowledges a misunderstanding regarding the focus on transistor density versus the total number of transistors in the chip.
  • Some participants engage in lighthearted commentary about the complexity of the chip's circuit diagram and the notion of advanced technology resembling magic.
  • There is a mention of the design process for the chip, indicating a lack of traditional circuit diagrams in its creation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the significance of the KiloCore chip's transistor count or its implications for transistor density limits. Multiple viewpoints are presented regarding the chip's uniqueness and efficiency.

Contextual Notes

There are references to varying definitions of transistor density and the implications of parallel processing capabilities, which may affect the interpretation of the chip's significance. Some participants also note the limitations of their understanding regarding the design process of such complex chips.

wolram
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I thought we were on the limit for transistor density but this chip looks like it is way over that limit.

From science daily.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160617215802.htm

A microchip containing 1,000 independent programmable processors has been designed. The energy-efficient 'KiloCore' chip has a maximum computation rate of 1.78 trillion instructions per second and contains 621 million transistors.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Ho hum. Modern off the shelf CPU chips routinely have over 1,000,000,000 transistors so 621,000,000 isn't particularly impressive.

The one in my desktop has 1,400,000,000 and it's not particularly high end.
 
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@phinds - the chip described in the article is massively parallel, and is unique. IMO. It is fundamentally different from a GPU-like cpu as you cited. And apparently very efficient - energy consumption ~0.7W as opposed to an NVIDIA 970 which is 145W minimum. It runs on a single 6V battery.

"To the best of our knowledge, it is the world's first 1,000-processor chip and it is the highest clock-rate processor ever designed in a university," said Bevan Baas, professor of electrical and computer engineering, who led the team that designed the chip architecture
- UC Davis
 
jim mcnamara said:
@phinds - the chip described in the article is massively parallel, and is unique. IMO. It is fundamentally different from a GPU-like cpu as you cited. And apparently very efficient - energy consumption ~0.7W as opposed to an NVIDIA 970 which is 145W minimum. It runs on a single 6V battery.

- UC Davis
Agreed, but the OP was commenting on his thought that this had hit a limit in transistor density, which is what I was responding to.

EDIT: Hm ... I see that actually I was not looking at the DENSITY of the chip, just the number of transistors so my point may be off.
 
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wolram said:
I thought we were on the limit for transistor density but this chip looks like it is way over that limit.

32nm technology is not as dense as it gets these days. Go here, and look to the right towards the top of the page for a table that puts 32nm in perspective.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Technology_Roadmap_for_Semiconductors

The big deal about the chip you referenced is the amount of parallel processing it can do - imo quite impressive.
 
Millions, trillions of transistors.
Wouldn't it be fun to scroll the circuit diagram of such a beast?

Ah... well... maybe not ; )

John
 
D_Arsonval said:
Wouldn't it be fun to scroll the circuit diagram of such a beast?
Actually, I'm pretty sure these things are built with magic ... no diagram required :smile:
 
Clarke's Third Law
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." (Arthur C. Clarke)
 
I doubt there ever was a circuit diagram. It went:

verilog --> netlist --> gds --> chip
 

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