Transistor Growth
In this project we are going to compute the rate of growth in the number of transistors in a computer. The table below gives the name of the CPU, the date it was first issued, and the number of transistors in that computer.
Find the rate of increase for the number of transistors from 1971 to 1972 and use this rate to predict the number of transistors for a computer released next year and in the year 2052. Now find the rate of increase from 1995 to 1997 and use this rate to predict the number of transistors for a computer released next year and in the year 2052.
In your opinion, which calculation provides the best estimate of number of transistors for next year? Which calculation provides the best estimate of number of transistors in 2052? Provide reasons that might account for differences in these calculations.
|
CPU |
Date |
No. of transistors |
|
4004 |
11/15/71 |
2,300 |
|
8008 |
4/72 |
3,500 |
|
8080 |
4/74 |
6,000 |
|
8086 |
6/8/78 |
29,000 |
|
80286 |
2/82 |
134,000 |
|
Intel 386DX |
10/17/85 |
275,000 |
|
Intel 486DX |
4/10/89 |
1,200,000 |
|
Intel DX2 |
3/3/92 |
1,200,000 |
|
Pentium |
3/22/93 |
3,100,000 |
|
Pentium Pro |
11/1/95 |
5,500,000 |
|
Pentium II |
5/7/97 |
7,500,000 |
CPU vs. Number of transistors