Can we compare the Core i9’s 45 mm with the Intel 4004’s 4 mm?
| Reference | Dimension |
|---|---|
| Core i9-14900K · package | 4.5 cm longer side of the package: 45 mm |
| Intel 4004 · bare die | 4 mm longer side of the die ≈ 4 mm |
Calculation: 4.5 cm ÷ 4 mm, after conversion into the same unit. The ratio calculated from the catalogue data is about 11.25.
Both illustrations use a common factor for the stated dimension. Positions aid reading and do not represent physical separation.
A modern package several centimetres across may contain microscopic details. To study miniaturisation, compare equivalent components, rather than lining up package dimensions with bare die dimensions.
Check the conventions
Core i9-14900K · package
2023Commercial release
Intel's specification gives a 45 × 37.5 mm package for the Core i9-14900K. We compare the longer side of the whole assembly here, including its substrate and metal lid. Labels such as ‘3 nm’ or ‘5 nm’ for other processes name technology generations: they give neither the package size nor a universal dimension for each transistor.
Documentary source linked; access was blocked by the proxy during this session. Approximate value not checked again online.
Intel 4004 · bare die
1971Commercial release
Beneath the package, the bare 4004 die measures approximately 4 × 3 mm. Here we compare the length of the silicon, not the package length or the length of a transistor. This first generation reminds us that “chip” can refer to several different objects.
Documentary source linked; access was blocked by the proxy during this session. Approximate value not checked again online.
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Replace an object in the explorer, keep the common scale factor and try predicting the new ratio before reading it.
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