At the end of the next year, Intel should begin producing 14 nanometer processors and SoC's, while increasing their investment in the D1X Fab in Oregon, Fab 42 in Arizona and Fab 24 in the Ireland. In 2015 the move to 10-nanometer processors is expected, and after this will follow 7 and 5 nm processors. Intel is also working on the development of 450 millimeter (18 inch) wafers, which has been  confirmed by an investment in the Dutch company ASML dealing with EUV lithography. It is expected that Intel will introduce larger wafer production sometime in 2017.
 
As for the progress of Intel's competitors, Samsung plans to begin a 20 nanometer production next year, and to simultaneously develop a 14 nanometer process. TSMC’s 20 nanometer production should start in the second half of next year, so newer technologies can’t be expected in the near future. GlobalFoundries plans to launch a pilot project later next year based on the production of 14 nanometer processors, with mass production scheduled for 2014. After all this we can surely say that Intel still has no real competition when it comes to silicon technology. Will it provide them leverage over ARM chips in the coming years remains to be seen.

[Ed – Intel’s move to smaller processes beyond 14nm will require new materials and new manufacturing techniques as the smaller the transistors the higher the current leakage potential. The good news here is that we know Intel has invested heavily in the development of materials like Graphene, Carbon Nanotube and more. With their investments into new materials and their large number of Fabs we expect them to maintain their Tick-Tock schedule for a long time…]

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