The Ultimate Limit of Moore's Law

BuzzSkyline writes "Physicists have found that there is an ultimate limit to the speed of calculations, regardless of any improvements in technology. According to the researchers who found the computation limit, the bound 'poses an absolute law of nature, just like the speed of light.' While many experts expect technological limits to kick in eventually, engineers always seem to find ways around such roadblocks. If the physicists are right, though, no technology could ever beat the ultimate limit they've calculated — which is about 10^16 times faster than today's fastest machines. At the current Moore's Law pace, computational speeds will hit the wall in 75 to 80 years. A paper describing the analysis, which relies on thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and information theory, appeared in a recent issue of Physical Review Letters (abstract here)."

Comments

Reminds me of a joke

[jcoy42]

A scientist and an engineer are lead into a room. They are asked to stand on one side. On the opposite side is Treasure (or delicious cake if you please).

They are told that they may have the prize if they can reach it, however they may never go more than half the distance between them and it.

The scientist balks claiming it is obviously impossible as he can NEVER reach the prize and leaves the room. The engineer shrugs, and walks halfway to the prize 10 times or so, says "close enough" and takes it.

So I guess we'll just see, eh?

Re:What is the limit?

[HTH NE1]

A more practical question: how many bits does my encryption key need now to make brute force cracking impractical for the fastest computer possible in this Universe (i.e probability of finding the key within my remaining lifespan 0.0001% (1 in a million))?

And not involving a system that reduces my lifespan, such as one failed attempt kills me, smart-ass.