AMD's process technology call proves terribly exciting

AMD HAD A PROCESS technology conference call today that started out on a high note, and went downhill from there. We told you about the exciting news a while ago, and little more was said.

First, let's start out with the good news. I got on with the CC operator, and she asked the usual questions, it went like this:

CC:What is your name?
Me: Charlie Demerjian.
CC: Spell your last name.
Me: D-E-M-E-R-J-I-A-N.
CC: What publication?
Me: The Inquirer.
CC: Your title?
Me: God-King of All I Behold.
CC: No, what is your title?
Me: Put it down, they will understand.
CC: No, what is your title?
Me: I don't have one, we have about five people working for us, what do we need titles for?
CC: I'll put down 'not applicable'.

OK, now for the down side, nothing was said that was really worth mentioning other than it has made 45 nanometre SRAMs with a .37 square micron cell size, and product design on 45nm has already begun. Feel the excitement.

Other than that, the call can be summed up by saying it was 45 minutes of my life I will never get back. I could have spent the time sorting lint, cleaning the neighbours' gutters, or contemplating doing the life of any of the dynastic popes as an interpretive dance, but no, I had to be on the phone. Ah well.

The problem is that AMD still has not shown working 65nm parts. No, wait, they have not shown 65nm non-working parts. This looks very bad, Intel showed 45nm wafers a long time ago. When AMD puts out fluffy information-free calls without parts, you have to ask yourself how badly things are off in their processes and fabs. µ