Intel has unveiled 16 server and high-end PC processors that claim to save energy use, and eliminate eco-unfriendly lead and, in 2008, halogen materials. Built using a new transistor formula that alleviates the wasteful electricity leaks that threaten the pace of future computer innovation, the processors claim to be the biggest transistor advancements in 40 years.

According to Intel, these processors are the first to use Intel's Hafnium-based high-k metal gate (Hi-k) formula for the hundreds of millions of transistors inside these processors. These Intel Core 2 Extreme and Xeon processors are also the first to be manufactured on the company's 45-nanometre (nm) manufacturing process.

"The intellects, physics and designs that went into solving one of the industry's most daunting challenges are awe-inspiring and I congratulate the Intel teams for this breakthrough achievement," said Paul Otellini, president and CEO, Intel. "Best yet, this feat, coupled with our industry-leading architectures, means faster and sleeker computers, longer battery life and better energy efficiency. Our objective is to bring consumers a new class of computers delivering a full Internet experience in ever-smaller, more portable form factors."