According to top Globalfoundries engineers, if all goes well from the moment a CPU manufacturer tapes out a new CPU until the moment the product hits the shelves, we are talking about at least one year.

CPU manufacture is much more complex and takes more time than making a GPU and if the new AMD CPU will ship in Q3 2011, it better be taped out by middle of next year. The new K10.5 quad and dual-core revision that should start shipping in Q2 2010 has most likely been taped out by the middle of 2009 and this new core revision can provide some higher clocks and lower TDPs.

Intel’s Arrandale 32nm dual-core with graphics inside most likely taped out around Q1 2009, given the fact that Intel plans full scale availability already in Q1 2010. GPUs need a little less time, but again we are talking about three to six months after tape out for full retail availability.

Of course, this 12-month schedule for CPU production only applies if they don’t hit major problems, as making a billion plus transistor chip is anything but simple.