BAD HARDWARE WEEK

IBM hits 8Ghz in 90nm using Limited switch dynamic logic circuits for high-speed, low-power processor designs.
That high performance logic will be used in IBM's forthcoming high clocked (up to 4,4Ghz) Power6 processor. Intel recently demonstrated 10Ghz circuits in 65nm. Thus, generally there is promising improvement space for higher clocks , but the question is would be that the most optimal choice?

But, as you can see from the graphs, there is no simulataneously low power consumption and high clock (high performance). At 5Ghz linearity between those stops, and higher system clocks are simply not economical in term of performance/power-consumption.

Interestingly, top diagram shows linearity of voltage scaling with frequency. That imply robustness LSDL for 65nm manufacturing technology and covering the whole spectrum of processors (from mobile to server ones) with one unified manufacturing technology family in the range of of 4,4 to 7Ghz.

However, all clock values beyond 5Ghz will be suitable only for high power consumption (and consequently heating) workstation or server roles. But, isn't IBM after Lenovo and Apple spinoff, just that: a server manufacturing company?

Please note that the thoughts above are quite simplified analysis, based on ring oscillator measurements, but processor itself is something much more complex.
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