Semiwiki on LinkedIn Semiwiki on Facebook Semiwiki on Twitter Register / Log in 
Array
(
    [content] => 
    [params] => Array
        (
            [0] => /forum/threads/exclusive-tsmc-pitched-intel-foundry-jv-to-nvidia-amd-and-broadcom-sources-say.22264/
        )

    [addOns] => Array
        (
            [DL6/MLTP] => 13
            [Hampel/TimeZoneDebug] => 1000070
            [SV/ChangePostDate] => 2010200
            [SemiWiki/Newsletter] => 1000010
            [SemiWiki/WPMenu] => 1000010
            [SemiWiki/XPressExtend] => 1000010
            [ThemeHouse/XLink] => 1000970
            [ThemeHouse/XPress] => 1010570
            [XF] => 2021770
            [XFI] => 1050270
        )

    [wordpress] => /var/www/html
)

Exclusive-TSMC pitched Intel foundry JV to Nvidia, AMD and Broadcom, sources say

"Multiple companies have expressed interest in buying parts of Intel, but two of the four sources said the U.S. company has rejected discussions about selling its chip design house separately from the foundry division."

"But 18A has been an area of contention in negotiations between Intel and TSMC, two sources said. During talks in February, Intel executives told TSMC that its advanced 18A manufacturing technology was superior to TSMC's 2-nanometer process, according to those sources."
 
Last edited:
XYang2023 said:
"Multiple companies have expressed interest in buying parts of Intel, but two of the four sources said the U.S. company has rejected discussions about selling its chip design house separately from the foundry division."

"But 18A has been an area of contention in negotiations between Intel and TSMC, two sources said. During talks in February, Intel executives told TSMC that its advanced 18A manufacturing technology was superior to TSMC's 2-nanometer process, according to those sources."
Click to expand...
I would think that these discussions have cooled off post the $100B investment announcement.
 
"The sources said TSMC's joint venture pitch was made to potential backers before the Taiwanese chipmaker announced with Trump on March 3 that the company planned to make a fresh $100 billion investment in the United States that involves building five additional chip facilities there in coming years.

Talks about the joint venture over Intel's foundry division have since continued, the three sources said, with TSMC looking to have more than one chip designer as a partner."
 
I think they are two separate things. The 100b is about capacity. But in no way, 6 TSM fabs in Arizona can supply 40% of the supply that was quoted by Trump.

JV with Intel is something else.
 
XYang2023 said:
I think they are two separate things. The 100b is about capacity. But in no way, 6 TSM fabs in Arizona can supply 40% of the supply that was quoted by Trump.

JV with Intel is something else.
Click to expand...
If these chip designers are willing to enter with a JV, why won’t ask GF to run the fabs? That way, you get a second source that is truly independent.
 
Also the JV will mitigate direct competition with TSM. The issue here is TSM holds a monopoly position. Working with GF would not address that.
 
So Trump and the investment banker Chairman are trying to sell a chunk of Intel to Taiwan at the bottom over the objections of executives, just as Intel is about to surpass TSMC in process technology?

Sounds about right for this administration
 
Bdubs82 said:
A JV means selling off a chunk of the foundry at a bargain basement price today. Also maybe splitting off products, but one of products’ advantages is being first on the latest node. Doesn’t make sense if 18A is in fact that good
Click to expand...
I guess it depends on the structure of the deal. At the moment, the valuation disregards the foundry valuation.

SOTP:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1892225697210392928
 
Last edited:
XYang2023 said:
You meant given 18A is better than TSMC 2nm according to the article?
Click to expand...
Not exactly like Dan said it is more or less on par and it may have key advantage for HPC over N2 but N2 is a better all round considering Mobile People don't love 18A that much.
The issue is the part that TSMC won't hold more than 50% stake in Intel why how did someone came up with it it's a JV than Intel needs controlling stake 60% at least and than the rest is sold.
 
"..18A has been an area of contention in negotiations between Intel and TSMC, two sources said. During talks in February, Intel executives told TSMC that its advanced 18A manufacturing technology was superior to TSMC's 2-nanometer process.."

Wonder what the context for this statement (if true) would be? They want to license to TSMC? Or they refuse TSMC's "help"?
 
Last edited:
Fred Chen said:
"..18A has been an area of contention in negotiations between Intel and TSMC, two sources said. During talks in February, Intel executives told TSMC that its advanced 18A manufacturing technology was superior to TSMC's 2-nanometer process.."

Wonder what the context for this statement (if true) would be? They want to license to TSMC? Or they refuse TSMC's "help"?
Click to expand...
Myabe they'd want much better terms/price. Or maybe they don't want a deal at all. Seems like executives are at odds with the board.
 
XYang2023 said:
"But 18A has been an area of contention in negotiations between Intel and TSMC, two sources said. During talks in February, Intel executives told TSMC that its advanced 18A manufacturing technology was superior to TSMC's 2-nanometer process, according to those sources."
Click to expand...

Customers do not agree with this assessment. Intel 18A does have it's advantages but so does TSMC N2. It really depends on the application and the packaging. The biggest differentiator is trust. No one will do a big move to Intel Foundry without an 18A test run so TSMC N2 will dominate once again. If 18A goes well then Intel Foundry could do some serious business at 14A. The challenge I see for Intel 14A is scaling it up for HVM to accommodate big customers. HNA-EUV might not be mature enough and it is very costly depending on the wafer throughput.

Intel really needs a strong CEO to make this happen. They also need 100% BoD support. Hopefully that is in process.
 
XYang2023 said:
I guess GF is not a competitive fab company.
Click to expand...

If they are going to send Intel manufacturing off to pasture then GF is a viable option. GF knows how to milk cash cows. If Intel is going to continue to pursue leading edge manufacturing GF is not a good solution. Just my opinion of course.
 
Daniel Nenni said:
Customers do not agree with this assessment. Intel 18A does have it's advantages but so does TSMC N2. It really depends on the application and the packaging. The biggest differentiator is trust. No one will do a big move to Intel Foundry without an 18A test run so TSMC N2 will dominate once again. If 18A goes well then Intel Foundry could do some serious business at 14A. The challenge I see for Intel 14A is scaling it up for HVM to accommodate big customers. HNA-EUV might not be mature enough and it is very costly depending on the wafer throughput.

Intel really needs a strong CEO to make this happen. They also need 100% BoD support. Hopefully that is in process.
Click to expand...
Panther Lake and whatever Microsoft is building there will be the proof points. If MSFT (the largest buyer of Nvidia chips) builds an AI chip on 1.8nm while everyone else is on TSMC 4nm that will be a big deal.

Recent commentary on HNA at industry conferences has been good from both Intel and ASML, although both could be talking their books. Guess we'll see.

It's notable that the Intel executives (who are steeped in the technology much more than the board) seem to be against a deal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top