Intel 18A Node SRAM Density On-Par with TSMC, Backside Power Delivery a Big Bonus

[AleksandarK]

Intel has unveiled some interesting advances in semiconductor manufacturing at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), showcasing the capabilities of its highly anticipated Intel 18A process technology. The presentation highlighted significant improvements in SRAM bit cell density. The PowerVia system, coupled with RibbonFET (GAA) transistors, is at the heart of Intel's node. The company demonstrated solid progress with their high-performance SRAM cells, achieving a reduction from 0.03 µm² in Intel 3 to 0.023 µm² in Intel 18A. High-density cells showed similar improvement, shrinking to 0.021 µm². These advancements represent scaling factors of 0.77 and 0.88 respectively, which are significant achievements in SRAM technology, once thought to be done with scaling benefits.

Implementing PowerVia technology is an Intel-first approach to addressing voltage drops and interference in processor logic areas. Using an "around the array" scheme, Intel strategically applies PowerVias to I/O, control, and decoder elements while optimizing bit cell design without a frontal power supply. The macro bit density of 38.1 MBit/mm² achieved by Intel 18A puts the company in a strong competitive position. While TSMC reported matching figures with their N2 process, Intel's comprehensive approach with 18A, combining PowerVia and GAA transistors, could challenge Smausng and TSMC, with long-term aspirations to compete for premium clients currently served by TSMC, including giants like NVIDIA, Apple, and AMD.



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[Assimilator]

Trying to sell your 18A process as a success when it's only making SRAM is really clutching at straws, Intel.

 

[zenlaserman]

Special Olympics kids get trophies too. Chill out. *Crosses arms, turns palms inwards, claps

Arp arp arp

 

[AnotherReader]

Trying to sell your 18A process as a success when it's only making SRAM is really clutching at straws, Intel.

Using SRAM as a test vehicle for new processes is hardly a new practice. I'm quoting the article, because who knows how long AnandTech's articles will remain online:

The inevitable comparison to AMD's progress on 45nm has to be made, but at this point we don't know too much. AMD revealed its 45nm SRAM test vehicle about three months after Intel did last year, with a slightly larger SRAM cell size (0.370 um^2 vs. 0.346 um^2 for Intel).

 

[Wirko]

Using SRAM as a test vehicle for new processes is hardly a new practice. I'm quoting the article, because who knows how long AnandTech's articles will remain online:

Yes, seeing early SRAM test chips is usual business. But pay attention to the timeline. 45 nm SRAM test chip: January 2006. 45 nm desktop processor available: January 2008. Hopefully Intel is already past the test chips by now.

 

[tfp]

Trying to sell your 18A process as a success when it's only making SRAM is really clutching at straws, Intel.

Doesn't TSMC do the same? Doesn't everone always talk SRAM and hand wave the rest of the stuff because it depends on the exact chip design when you are mixing logic, SRAM, ect?

 

[Assimilator]

Using SRAM as a test vehicle for new processes is hardly a new practice. I'm quoting the article, because who knows how long AnandTech's articles will remain online:

Intel's foundry has been so f**ked for so long that showing it can manufacture SRAM on 18A is about as useful and relevant as t**s on a bus. It definitely does not indicate in any way shape or form that 18A is any good for fabbing CPUs and GPUs, which is the only thing that matters.

 

[AnotherReader]

Intel's foundry has been so f**ked for so long that showing it can manufacture SRAM on 18A is about as useful and relevant as t**s on a bus. It definitely does not indicate in any way shape or form that 18A is any good for fabbing CPUs and GPUs, which is the only thing that matters.

As it's a technical paper, the information presented is adequate. For the products that you and I are interested in, I agree; we will have to see a functional CPU shipped by the millions on this node before Intel can regain our trust.

 

[user556]

Given the bulk of all CPUs, GPUs, or any complex processor, is made of SRAM, or SRAM like structures, it's an extremely effective benchmark.

The thing that amused me the most is Intel naming AMD as a giant.

 

[kondamin]

Still no real product, will panther lake be an intel chip or a tsmc chip

 

[idk bro]

Still no real product, will panther lake be an intel chip or a tsmc chip

Intel 18A