Intel Turns to Light to Transfer Data Inside PCs

PCWorld: Intel has unveiled a prototype interconnect that users lasers to move around data inside a PC at up to 50 gigabits per second. That's enough bandwidth to transfer an entire high-def movie in just one second.

Intel's CTO Justin Rattner explained that the copper wire currently used inside systems has difficulty transferring data faster than 10 Gbps. "Photonics gives us the ability to move those mass quantities of data across the room... in a cost-effective matter," Rattner said.