Processor capex race cools as Intel takes 45-nm lead

摘要

Santa Clara, Calif.—Seeking to preempt a possible new fab strategy at rival AdvancedMicro Devices Inc., microprocessor giant Intel Corp. is putting the pieces in place for a major ramp at the 45-nanometer node.AMD and Intel are taking different paths in IC manufacturing, but the traditional capital-spending race appears to be over in the X86-based proces-sor arena. Intel is now betting on a new, cost-efficient version of its vertically integrated model, and troubled AMD is mulling a plan to cut costs by moving toward more of a fab-lite strategy.