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Microelectronics

Intel 4004: a few millimetres of silicon

The adopted reference is about 4 mm.

longer side of the die ≈ 4 mm

4 mm = 0.4 cm. A millimeter is one tenth of a centimeter.

1971Commercial release

The 1971 microprocessor fits on just a few millimetres of silicon.

Explore at this scale
Intel 4004 · bare die, interpreted illustration
Interpreted illustration · dimension stated in the fact sheet.

What does this number measure?

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.

Compare the stated dimensions

The comparison uses the number in each fact sheet: altitude, height, diameter, length or distance, depending on the reference. Two values in metres do not necessarily describe the same property.

Source and limitations

Documentary source linked; access was blocked by the proxy during this session. Approximate value not checked again online.

Bare die: the longer side of the silicon is compared, with an interpreted circuit pattern.

Commercial release: 1971. Proposed historical date; an existing documentary source is linked but was not consulted for this date in this session. Do not interpret this reference as the manufacturing date of the illustrated specimen.