Intel's New Tri-Gate Ivy Bridge Transistors: 9 Things You Need to Know | News & Opinion | PCMag.com

Intel's New Tri-Gate Ivy Bridge Transistors: 9 Things You Need to Know | News & Opinion | PCMag.com: "1.) Tri-Gate explained. The Tri-Gate technology gets its name from the fact that transistors using it have conducting channels that are formed on all three sides—two on each side, one across the top—of a tall and narrow silicon fin that rises vertically from the silicon substrate. On a traditional two-dimensional, or 'planar,' transistor, the gate runs just across the top. But on the vertical fin, transistors can be packed closer together. This provides enough extra control to allow more transistor current to flow when the transistor is on, almost zero when it is off, and gives the transistor the ability to switch quickly between the two states. This maximizes both power usage and performance."