Complete Analysis of the Intel Westmere / Clarkdale Core i5 660 32 nm Microprocessor

Intel is the first to ship a 32 nm process technology. As predicted, this generation matches Intel’s pattern of launching a new process technology every two years, and represents the culmination of a US$7 billion investment.

Given that Intel has already followed a path of its own at 45 nm, it will be interesting to see where the process has changed for the smaller geometries. By tracking multiple generations, leading semiconductor companies reduce the risk of new process development as they move to high-k gate technology.