My day job
I work in Intel’s Itanium microprocessor design group. Our most recently completed project was the Tukwila processor. Intel’s Itanium line has not had a lot of positive press in it’s 10+ year history, due to delays, underwhelming performance and slow market adoption. Tukwila looks much better so far.
These are enterprise-grade microprocessors, not like your standard Pentium or Core Duo chip. This baby packs 2.05 billion transistors, the little switches that control all the logic, store memory and such. For comparison:
Intel 4004 (1971): 2300
Intel 8088 (1979): 29,000
Pentium (1993): 3,100,00
Pentium 4 (2000): 42,000,000
Core 2 Quad (2006): 582,000,000
Tukwila (2008): 2,050,000,000
I’m a geek, I think that’s cool.
My job, specifically, involves writing software used to design and test the billions of tiny wires that connect all those switches together. At least, that’s one part of my contribution to Tukwila.
Each one of these projects lasts 4-5 years all together, though I’m only involved in the first half of that (design before it gets manufactured). After the first manufacturing samples — actual silicon parts we can plug in and test — my focus shifts to the next project, Poulson in this case. Poulson is my 5th major project in the 11 years I’ve been with the group.
I actually rather enjoy the work I do. I work with great people on challenging projects, doing a combination of long-term strategic development and daily problem solving. The challenges change frequently as we try to push the envelope.
Only problem is, I don’t see myself doing the same thing for another 20-30 years. So now I’m trying to figure out what’s next… Stay tuned for that!
March 31st, 2008 at 7:03 am
Hey Jer,
I’m glad that there are some people like you out there that think this stuff is cool. Although I think it’s cool, it’s so past my level of understanding and realm of comprehension that it gives me a headache. But I am greatly appreciative of those who understand it and do it so I can have fun just playing on my computer!
March 31st, 2008 at 11:41 am
At a party the other day I made a comment about an “RSS feed” and the guy looked at me whith open mouth awe. I explained my brother was a nerd and sent me an essay on it. I don’t think I’ll be surprising anyone about the Tukwila processor, though. Thanks for sharing!
March 31st, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Yeah, that’s what I thought you did! Glad to have it confirmed.
There was a time when I couldn’t see myself doing the same thing, i.e. teaching piano lessons, for the next 20-30 years. Well, surprise! Here I am just waiting for this afternoon’s round of student to arrive. Sometimes ya do what ya gotta do and try to be grateful for the opportunity of doing something. At least it sounds like what ya gotta do is interesting for geek guys and will continue to be needed as the next 20+ generations of microprocessors or whatever new gets invented float to the surface.
And thanks for the tiny bit of education. Now I know that Poulson means something besides Andy.