Moore's Law
Chip density prediction
Moore's Law is the observation that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles approximately every two years, while costs fall.
Named for Intel cofounder Gordon Moore, who noted the pattern in 1965, it has guided semiconductor industry expectations for decades.
The term now applies loosely to any exponential technological progress: Moore's Law can't continue forever.
Semiconductor signal switch
- microchipMiniature semiconductor processor
- integrated circuitMiniaturized semiconductor electronics package
- microprocessorCompact computing circuit
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
lithography · wafer · nanometer · node · density · miniaturization · etching · photolithography
Multiplying by two
- growthIncrease in size
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- compoundCombined into one
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
multiplication · proliferation · scaling · amplification · snowballing · intensification · escalation · surge
Carrying out a task
- CPUMain computing chip
- hardwareMetal goods and fittings
- clock speedProcessor cycle rate
- throughputProcessing rate over time
capacity · memory · storage · bandwidth · cost reduction · efficiency · parallelism · multicore
No longer in use
- legacyWhat's passed down
- supersededReplaced by something newer
- deprecatedFormally advised against using
- quantum tunnelingSubatomic passage through classically forbidden regions
heat dissipation · leakage · breakdown · plateau · slowdown
Forceful interruption of process
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- progressMovement toward improvement
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
transformation · evolution · paradigm · industry · competition · investment · R&D · cutting-edge
Prediction of future conditions
- roadmapDetailed plan forward
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- trendDirection of change
- extrapolationExtending data beyond bounds
expectation · timeline · projection · anticipation · foresight · benchmark · milestone · trajectory
transistor
Semiconductor signal switch
- microchipMiniature semiconductor processor
- integrated circuitMiniaturized semiconductor electronics package
- microprocessorCompact computing circuit
fabrication · lithography · wafer · nanometer · node · density · miniaturization · etching · photolithography · die
doubling
Multiplying by two
- growthIncrease in size
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- compoundCombined into one
geometric · multiplication · proliferation · scaling · amplification · snowballing · intensification · escalation · surge · expansion
performance
Carrying out a task
- CPUMain computing chip
- hardwareMetal goods and fittings
- clock speedProcessor cycle rate
throughput · capacity · memory · storage · bandwidth · cost reduction · efficiency · parallelism · multicore
outdated
No longer in use
- legacyWhat's passed down
- supersededReplaced by something newer
- deprecatedFormally advised against using
quantum tunneling · heat dissipation · leakage · breakdown · plateau · slowdown
disruption
Forceful interruption of process
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- progressMovement toward improvement
revolution · transformation · evolution · paradigm · industry · competition · investment · R&D · cutting-edge · state-of-the-art
forecast
Prediction of future conditions
- roadmapDetailed plan forward
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- trendDirection of change
extrapolation · expectation · timeline · projection · anticipation · foresight · benchmark · milestone · trajectory · tracking
- Adages
- semiconductorssilicon, semiconductor, semiconductors, silicon wafers, transistor
Moore's Lawdiminishing returns
Reduced benefit from additional effort
Moore's Lawlaws of thermodynamics
Fundamental energy behavior principles
speed of light · Planck's constant · conservation of energy · physical constants · natural law
Moore's Lawlaw of diminishing returns
Added effort produces declining benefit