Intel brings chips to Ireland

Intel

has invested $2 billion to build Europe’s first high-volume 65nm chip manufacturing facility, which opened this week in

.

The new facility, called Fab 24-2, produces the chips on 300mm wafers, the industry’s largest, giving Intel’s factory the potential to generate the world’s highest microprocessor output.

“Intel is establishing a clear technology lead with our next generation of dual-core processors based on the Intel Core microarchitecture,” said Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini. “Our manufacturing capability is key to fuelling Intel’s success.”

More than half of Intel’s PC and server microprocessors are produced using its 65nm volume ramp, a milestone known as manufacturing crossover. During a ceremony to officially open the Ireland factory, Otellini said that the 300mm wafers that began running through the new facility three months ago helped the company reach this landmark.

During the summer Intel will introduce Intel Core2 Duo processors for desktop and notebooks, and the Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 5100 series.

Intel plans to begin production using its next-generation 45nm process technology by the end of 2007, two years after it started production using its 65nm process technology.