Intel Stops Core i7 940, 965

The quad-core 2.93GHz Intel Core i7 940 would be the first Nehalem processor to be phased out. Intel cites in a statement, "market demand for the same has moved to other products. Following the Core i7 940, Intel will next discontinue production of high-end quad-core 3.2GHz Intel Core i7 965 Extreme Edition. It's hardly been a year since Intel launched it's Core i7 CPU but after Intel demonstrated 32nm Westmere chips in mid-February, this shift from Nehalem architecture to 32nm Westmere was obvious.

Intel Nehalem architecture based Intel Core i7 940 processor will be phased out later this year. Ironically, Intel Core i7 940 was one of the first processors based on Nehalem architecture launched in November 2008. Consumers can confirm their Core i7 940 orders till Sept. 4 this year and after that it would be officially unavailable.Intel is on tarck according to it's roadmap, the 32nm Westmere chips was planned for this year. However, Nehalem chips will be available (read shipped) throughout 2009.

Intel's Grove: Something foul in Silicon Valley

Grove spoke after receiving a lifetime achievement award at the 37th annual National Inventors Hall of Fame induction ceremony gala. The awards, sponsored by nonprofit Invent Now, also recognized 15 pioneers in the semiconductor and related industries.Grove called this a break from past practice. "The most important invention of our industry, the invention of the transistor, was licensed by AT&T for $25,000," he said. "This allowed the transistor industry to develop and become a flourishing manufacturing industry in the United States."

Speaking to a diverse Silicon Valley audience that included Gordon Moore (founder of both Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel); Ted Hoff (co-inventor of the microprocessor); Carver Mead (VLSI concept); Intel CEO Paul Otellini; and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Grove said the patent system is slouching toward the model that precipitated the financial crisis in the U.S. Not today, in his eyes. "The patent product brings financial derivatives to mind," he said. "Derivatives have a complex relationship with an underlying asset. While there's nothing wrong with them in principle, their unfettered use has damaged the financial services industry and possibly the entire economy.