By Rik Myslewski, The Register
There are two reasons why Intel is switching to a new process architecture: it can, and it must.

The most striking aspect of Intel’s announcement of its new Tri-Gate process isn’t the architecture itself, nor is it the eye-popping promises of pumped-up performance and dialed-down power. And it certainly isn’t the Chipzillian marketeers’ risible emphasis on “3-D”.

No, it’s that Intel has not only the know-how and ready cash, but also the never-surrender cojones to pull off such a breakthrough. The world’s number-one microprocessor designer is not content to merely dominate some sectors of the market for silicon brains, it wants its parts to be in every thinking device, from the lowliest embedded systems to the brainiest HPC clusters.

And Intel is willing to invest – bet? – big to make that happen.

The move to a 22nm Tri-Gate process architecture is an important step for Intel’s entire microprocessor line, but it’s especially critical for the company’s desire to enter the low-power world of tablets and smartphones – and whatever consumer-level world-changers might appear next.

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