TSMC claims technology supremacy, compares their 3nm node to Intel's 18A

[Alfonso Maruccia]

Why it matters: In the next few years, the microchip industry will witness significant technological advancements in the manufacturing processes for silicon components. TSMC is looking forward with full confidence, asserting that the company will provide nodes superior to those developed by its competitors.

Intel's futuristic 20A and 18A process nodes are expected to debut in new CPUs in 2024 or 2025. However, TSMC has already declared victory over the US company, with plans to introduce comparable manufacturing technology within the same timeframe, but with improvements across the board.

During a recent earnings call, TSMC CEO C.C. Wei stated that their internal assessment confirmed the enhancements of the N3P technology. TSMC's 3nm-class manufacturing node demonstrated "comparable PPA" (power performance area) to Intel's 18A node. N3P is expected to be even better, arriving earlier on the market, boasting "better technology maturity," and offering significant cost advantages.

Wei emphasized that TSMC doesn't underestimate or take the competition lightly. He also mentioned that the company's 2-nanometer technology, while still a work in progress, is expected to surpass both N3P and 18A. TSMC's 2nm-class manufacturing process is on track to become the most advanced technology in the semiconductor industry when it's introduced in 2025.

Intel is expected to release the first actual CPUs manufactured with the 20A process in 2024, bringing significant innovations to chip manufacturing technology with the introduction of RibbonFET gate-all-around transistors. RibbonFET represents the first major transistor redesign since the introduction of FinFET transistors in 2011 and will incorporate a new backside power delivery network (BSPDN) technology known as PowerVia.

At the same time, Wei confirmed that TSMC will continue to use the tried-and-true FinFET transistor technology, along with traditional power delivery methods, across its entire line of 3nm processes (N3, N3E, N3P, N3X). Gate-all-around transistors and BSPDN will be introduced with the N2 nodes, which are slated for high-volume production in the second half of 2025.

Wei mentioned that N3 is expected to contribute to a "mid-single-digit percentage" of TSMC's total wafer revenue in 2023, with a significantly higher percentage anticipated for 2024. There is strong demand for 3nm products from various customers who are seeking improved performance, power efficiency, yield, and "comprehensive platform support" for both high-performance computing (HPC) and smartphone applications.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/100565-tsmc-claims-technology-supremacy-over-intel-n3p-n2.html

 

[wiyosaya]

We all know TSMC was ahead of Intel to begin with. There's no reason to assume that TSMC would not maintain the lead over Intel that they have.

 

[Kashim]

Intel is currently years behind TSMC and in this business even 1-2 years is an eternity. Intel's plan to get ahead of TSMC is to simply _name_ their process node like it's ahead of them. Then follow that with biased reviews and a lot of marketing noise to claim supremacy.

 

[human7]

We all know TSMC was ahead of Intel to begin with. There's no reason to assume that TSMC would not maintain the lead over Intel that they have.

Intel is currently years behind TSMC and in this business even 1-2 years is an eternity. Intel's plan to get ahead of TSMC is to simply _name_ their process node like it's ahead of them. Then follow that with biased reviews and a lot of marketing noise to claim supremacy.

Intel has a lot of catching up to do, but I wouldn't count Intel out just yet. https://www.techspot.com/news/100406-samsung-tsmc-3nm-yields-could-low-50-percent.html

 

[sorten]

I don't know. Two years ago, I would have said that TSMC is easily leading. But after their trouble with the 5nm node and Apple devices, and Intel's recent success in delivering nodes on time, I'm not sure.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

I don't know. Two years ago, I would have said that TSMC is easily leading. But after their trouble with the 5nm node and Apple devices, and Intel's recent success in delivering nodes on time, I'm not sure.

The industry goes in cycles. I wonder if others will have issues with 3nm or if its just apples A17.

 

[Tom Yum]

If Intel has a better process then the likes of Apple and NVIDIA would be signing deals with Intel to fabricate their latest and greatest. Their lack of success with signing large customers for IFS is a sign that their processes both now and further down their roadmap aren't competitive enough to be worth the switch from TSMC.

 

[Thatsdisgusting]

PLA want to have a word on this matter…

 

[GhostLegion]

If Intel has a better process then the likes of Apple and NVIDIA would be signing deals with Intel to fabricate their latest and greatest. Their lack of success with signing large customers for IFS is a sign that their processes both now and further down their roadmap aren't competitive enough to be worth the switch from TSMC.

Or the more likely scenario, they have no interest in giving IP to a direct competitor. Or Intel could be asking too much for their nodes or only offering older nodes and reserving the best node for themselves. Or a combination of the above.