Monday, March 6th 2023
Intel Foundry Services Allegedly Working on Test Chips for 43 Potential Customers
A new story is making the rounds, citing Wang Rui, chair Intel China, in the media in both China and Taiwan, claiming that Intel is working on test chips for as many as 43 potential customers for Intel Foundry Services (IFS). At least seven of those potential customers are said to be from the top 10 foundry clients globally. This sounds a bit too good to be true, considering that IFS has as yet to prove that they can deliver on their promises.
Furthermore, Wang Rui is meant to have gone on record, saying that IFS has taped out products on both its 20A and 18A nodes. Exactly what these products are, wasn't divulged, but as the 18A node isn't expected to go into mass production until the second half of 2024, this sounds a little bit too good to be true. What makes this even less believable is that the Intel 4 node is only set to go into mass production in the second half this year and before Intel moves to its Ångström nodes, the company still has to deliver on its Intel 3 node. The Intel China chair is also reportedly confident that Intel will be returning to a leading foundry position by 2025.
Sources:
UDN Taiwan, via @dnystedt (on Twitter)
Furthermore, Wang Rui is meant to have gone on record, saying that IFS has taped out products on both its 20A and 18A nodes. Exactly what these products are, wasn't divulged, but as the 18A node isn't expected to go into mass production until the second half of 2024, this sounds a little bit too good to be true. What makes this even less believable is that the Intel 4 node is only set to go into mass production in the second half this year and before Intel moves to its Ångström nodes, the company still has to deliver on its Intel 3 node. The Intel China chair is also reportedly confident that Intel will be returning to a leading foundry position by 2025.
9 Comments on Intel Foundry Services Allegedly Working on Test Chips for 43 Potential Customers
Still can't figure out how to turn off the spellchecker.
Political bits aside:
Does Intel have fabs in China? I don't think so, subject to correction. If not, why would the Intel China head be the one talking about it?
Either this dude is bragging confidential information* or blowing smoke - and the line is pretty blurry between those.
*Reasonable - the head of a Chinese branch of a company is in a really weird position legally. Arm had their a lot of issues in that department.
- Dalian, China
I guess we'll find out if he gets fired or not...Intel has a lot of other facilities in the PRC, see the above link.www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000089875/programs/intel-corporation.html
All the other China manufacturing centers are packaging and testing facilities.
I would be very surprised if the US would allow Intel to build cutting-edge nodes in the PRC.