The older flat transistors have been replaced by a 3D structure made of fins that rise out of the silicon. This design significantly reduces electrical leakage, which is an increasing problem at smaller fabrications and being on the 22nm fabrication more lines of transistors are able to be crammed into a smaller area operating at faster speeds and lower voltage resulting in better performance.
A microscopic image of a Tri-Gate transistor
Intel's up and coming Ivy Bridge CPU will be the first to be using the Tri-Gate design and will be available late 2011- Q1 2012.
"For years we have seen limits to how small transistors can get," said Gordon E. Moore. "This change in the basic structure is a truly revolutionary approach, and one that should allow Moore's Law, and the historic pace of innovation, to continue." - Gordon E. Moore
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Source - Brothersoft
