A few random questions

[NW8800]

Hey,

In a x86 based CPU so 32bit... The reset vector physical address is 0xFFFFFFF0 (i.e. the last 16 bytes of physical memory), correct..?

Also, why does smaller processor fab, 90nm to 60nm etc reduce the power consumed by the circuit/processor... It decreases resistance..? How and why???

Any links would be great, just wanted to get peoples ideas on the above... Seems its been a while since I've looked at this stuff. :P

BTW, love reading this website and forums, full of really good info, keep it up!


Thanks.

[Puter Padowan]

The answer to your first question is yes. Any time the CPU is reset that is the address it heads to first in order to process it's first instruction... at least to my knowledge that's how it goes.

The second question, a smaller architecture 60nm or 45nm produce less heat and can work at higher clock speeds, use LESS energy. How does this increase performance? They reduce the size of transistors but because of the smaller architecture they can also increase the amount of transistors. The more transistors that are present the faster they processor can perform.

Take a look at intel's site on the Xeon 5400 series processors. Hope I was able to help you.

[jlreich]

why does smaller processor fab, 90nm to 60nm etc reduce the power consumed by the circuit/processor... It decreases resistance..? How and why???
Smaller transistor size requires less power to change the state of the transistor. Less power means less heat, and on from there as Puter Padowan suggested above.

On another note, smaller process size also reduces the cost of making chips. How? The size of the wafer remains the same size, the cost of manufacturing that wafer remains pretty much constant, but now with a smaller process size you can make more smaller and faster chips with even more transistors on the same size wafer. In short you get more out of the same wafer.

Hmm, I suppose you can liken it to increasing the resolution on your monitor. :p

If you want to do some reading start with searching for transistors on Wikipedia. It will provide enough links to keep you busy for weeks. Trust me, I have gotten lost in that abyss before myself. :p :D