Intel was forced to admit that the effect of "Moore's Law" has slowed down. The recent quarterly reporting conference was no exception, Intel also had to find reasons for optimism in the fact that the doubling transistor density per unit area of chip is now happening every two and a half years, instead of every two years as before.
Guide Intel confirms that in the case of the 10-nm process cycle will be closer to two and a half years. On one hand, the company is not going to calm down, and is ready to make every effort to return to a two-year step. As the pace of development of 7-nm process technology to make forecasts even early. Everything will depend on the possibility of adapting an existing lithography equipment to new technological standards, with or without the need to pass the so-called lithography with superhard ultra-violet radiation.
On the other hand, from the mouth of the financial director Intel, there calls to use the advantages of delayed action "Moore's Law".The increase in the cycle time can be used for the re-use of lithography equipment and tooling that will provide a tangible cost savings, and the overall lack of haste saves money. Each year, Intel makes the corresponding analysis and take important decisions in this area.