Intel has received permission to build a new processor fabrication facility in Ireland, after receiving the go-ahead from Irish planning agency An Bord Pleanála. The $4 billion chip plant will be used by the processor manufacturer to create its 14-nanometer processors, with only the final decision from Intel management left before it can be constructed.
The first CPU from Intel to be based on the company's 14nm manufacturing process will be the Atom Z2580, SemiWiki reported recently. Production is likely to begin early in 2013, and the chip will fill an as-yet-untapped market necessity. The Z2580 will support 4G LTE networks but be very energy-efficient, making it ideal for use in tablets and smartphones.
Intel during investment presentations Tuesday promised a more definite track for his company's struggling mobile plans. At one event, CEO Paul Otellini said the company's earlier plan for mobile was "inadequate" and would focus on even lower-powered designs that would move twice as quickly as Moore's Law. Along with the 32 nanometer version of the Atom, Saltwell, the executive also acknowledged the 22nm Silvermont and ultimately a 14nm version, Airmont, within three years.
