As engineers struggle to shrink the components etched into microchips, they're getting close to the physical limits of how small these circuits can be. This has prompted companies to search for new ways to increase their performance. One of the most interesting methods has come from Apple, which is using a Frankenstein-like approach to build its monster m1 chip.
The M1 Ultra is essentially two complete processors joined together with a high-speed interface that makes them appear as a single unit. Using this technology, Apple's latest CPU can compete with the fastest high-end computer processors and graphics chips on the market. TSMC, the Taiwanese chipmaker that made this chip for Apple, has been working on this type of tech for years. However, the company had previously only used it to link separate cores that perform different tasks.
This innovative method of stitching multiple components together is a testament to the ingenuity of the chipmakers, who're trying to find ways to improve their performance as it becomes more difficult and expensive to miniaturize transistors. This trend is important because it ensures that we can continue to benefit from the innovations in computers and other high-tech devices.
However, many experts are starting to wonder if Moore's law will continue to hold true indefinitely. This is because alternative technologies like quantum computing and neuromorphic computing are beginning to rival silicon-based microchips in terms of performance.
