What is the growth of computing power over time? In this article, we explore an incredible metric called “Moore’s law”, which states that computing power doubles every two years. This law has held firm since its inception in 1965. We will also discuss how far this growth has come and what it means for our future.
So read on to find out more about Moore’s law and the amazing journey of increasing computing power over time.
Key Takeaways
- Moore’s law has been instrumental in driving the rapid growth of computer processing power and has held true for over 50 years.
- The incredible shrinking hard disk is a testament to the power of modern technology, as terabytes of data can now be stored on devices that are small enough to fit in your pocket.
- The evolution of computing power over the years has been most evident in the gaming industry, from Atari’s pixelated stick figures to today’s hyper-realistic graphics.
- This increase in computing power can be seen in many aspects of our lives, from smartphones and tablets to self-driving cars.
- While the growth of computing power has revolutionized the way we access and store information, it also raises important questions about the impact on our environment and the future of work.
What Is The Growth Of Computing Power Over Time?
In 1965, Gordon E. Moore made a prediction that would shape the future of technology and computing for decades to come. He predicted that the number of transistors on a computer chip would double every two years.
This prediction, now known as Moore’s Law, has held true for over 50 years and has been instrumental in driving the rapid growth of computer processing power. Moore’s Law predicted an exponential growth in computers processing power and the infographic highlights how far it has come in the past five decades.
Technology now allows us to stream movies, play video games, and access the internet freely with devices that fit in our pockets.
The Incredible Shrinking Hard Disk
The incredible shrinking hard disk is a testament to the power of modern technology. In the 1970s, data storage equipment was bulky and expensive.
The IBM 305 RAMAC weighed over a ton and measured 16 square feet, yet its storage capacity was only 5MB. This meant that businesses had to invest in large amounts of hardware just to store their data.
Thankfully, hard disks have become much smaller and more efficient over the years. Nowadays, terabytes of data can be stored on devices that are small enough to fit in your pocket.
This has revolutionized the way we access and store information, making it easier than ever before for businesses to manage their data efficiently. The animation below shows just how far we’ve come in terms of storage capacity and size reduction.
Computing in the Real World
The evolution of computing power over the years has been most evident in the gaming industry. From Atari’s pixelated stick figures to today’s hyper-realistic graphics, it is clear that computing power has increased exponentially.
This journey from Pong to Call of Duty is a great example of how far we have come in terms of processing power. The Xbox 360, which was revolutionary when it first came out, now looks quaint compared to modern gaming systems.
This increase in computing power can be seen in many aspects of our lives, from smartphones and tablets to self-driving cars and virtual reality headsets. It is amazing to think about how much technology has advanced over the years and what new possibilities this opens up for us. Computing power has enabled us to do things that were once thought impossible and will continue to shape our lives for years to come.
Exponential progress in computing efficiency
Computing efficiency has doubled every 18 months in the last six decades, leading to computers that are increasingly efficient and require less energy to do the same amount of work. This progress is measured by Watts per MIPS (million instructions per second).
This improvement in computing efficiency is not only beneficial for cost savings but also for reducing the environmental impact of computers. By using less energy to achieve the same results, we are able to reduce our carbon footprint and help protect our planet from further damage caused by emissions.
Furthermore, this progress allows us to develop more powerful and efficient machines that can handle larger workloads with greater accuracy and speed.
Conclusion
Moore’s Law in 1965 predicted a doubling of transistors on computer chips every two years, which has held true to this day. This has enabled a massive increase in computing power since the 1970s, seen in everything from the storage capacity and size reduction of hard disks to the improvement of gaming graphics. It also means that computers are becoming increasingly efficient, requiring less energy to do the same amount of work and reducing the environmental impact.
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