Transistors, bjt, MOSFETs OK got it.
More transistors = better computing got it.
But compressing the transistors closer to each in my mind only helps reduce the physical dimensions.
So does a CPU or any electronic become more efficient because the transistors use less voltage? Does more computing reduce power usage, thus simply having more transistors the reason?
I am asking because as a newb and soon to graduate engineer, I think basic stuff like this is important to understand. But I always learned this concept as a rule of thumb and not by "first principle" or actual theory of transistor efficiency.
PS I did take a class in where the math of L and W was calculated and compared to new L' and W', reduced on a npn. The theoretical frequency increased but I don't think the math translation well in my head because I don't see how that helps power efficiency, only performance and/or area.
Best Answer
Most of the power consumption in CMOS circuits is 'dynamic power' -- power from devices switching state. This power is basically the power required to drive the capacitance of the other gates, as well as the capacitance of the wiring.
In modern CMOS, there is additional static leakage power because when the MOS transistor is 'off', it still allows a little leakage current to flow, and given the numbers of devices in a modern CPU, the total current becomes significant. There are techniques to minimize this though.
As devices get smaller, you get a number of benefits:
Generally, the leakage currents increase as devices get smaller (not really because they are smaller, but because the lower threshold voltages allow higher leakages). More complex power-switching techniques are used to keep this in check.