TSMC has been in the news a fair bit recently, with updates regarding its process nodes advancements and financial investments. As reported by ChinaTimes, TSMC has over 50% yields on 5nm process node, outperforming the 7nm process back when it was at this stage. AMD, Apple and Huawei are expected to be …
Read More »TSMC and GlobalFoundries drop legal disputes and agree to share patents
Back in August, GlobalFoundries filed a lawsuit against TSMC claiming patent infringement on chips sold in some of the world’s most popular devices. At the time, GlobalFoundries claimed that 25 patents were being infringed on, but it didn’t take long for TSMC to fire back with a number of patent …
Read More »TSMC starts construction of 3nm fab
After its previous $4 billion investment to meet the demand for 7nm and 5nm, there are reports of another $19.5 billion from TSMC to build a new 3nm factory in Taiwan by 2020. TSMC has been one of the companies at the forefront of semiconductor manufacturing, investing in factories for its …
Read More »Apple has reportedly begun sampling 5nm chips, possibly for 2020 AR and iOS devices
Earlier this week, we learned that TSMC was investing extra money to boost production capacity for 7nm and 5nm chips. Now, we seem to have a good idea as to why 5nm in particular is being fast-tracked, as Apple has reportedly begun receiving 5nm SoC samples in preparation for new …
Read More »TSMC will spend an extra $4B to meet 7nm and 5nm demand
Last month, we learned that TSMC might be struggling to meet demand for 7nm chip production, which could have raised production lead times from two months to as high as six months. This would be a major bottleneck in the supply chain but fortunately, TSMC is already prepared to invest …
Read More »TSMC is hitting 7nm+ yields in time for AMD Zen 3
There is growing optimism that AMD will deliver on its schedule for next-generation Zen 3 processors after TSMC says it has begun mass production of chips based on its new 7nm+ EUV technology. TSMC this week announced it is “delivering customer products to market in high volume”, which means they …
Read More »TSMC files a countersuit against GlobalFoundries claiming patent infringement
Just a few weeks ago, GlobalFoundries levied a lawsuit against TSMC claiming patent infringement on chips sold and used within the products of some of the world’s most high-profile tech companies. At the time, TSMC did state that it was prepared to defend itself and now, we are seeing the …
Read More »AMD Ryzen 9 3900X CPU stock remains low with retailers hiking up pre-order prices
With Ryzen 3900X CPUs appearing to be extremely thin on the ground recently, retailers who have stock are hiking prices up daily. With both UK and US markets showing price increases, it may not be good news for potential buyers. AMD’s Ryzen 9 3900X CPU remains very difficult to get …
Read More »TSMC and ARM showcase first 7nm chiplet system for HPC
ARM and TSMC have announced their co-developed silicon-proven chiplet system based on multiple ARM cores, using TSMC’s Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate (CoWoS) packaging solution, which is heralded as an industry first based on the 7nm FinFET process. The proof-of-concept chip comprises of a dual-chiplet CoWoS implemented in 7nm. Each chiplet contains four ARM …
Read More »Rumours of TSMC struggling to meet demand could see production lead times of 7nm chips tripled
A lot of major tech companies are making the jump to 7nm chips and TSMC has a lot of major clients vying for production lines. According to sources this week, TSMC might be struggling to meet this demand for 7nm chips, which could see production times jump. TSMC makes chips …
Read More »TSMC will ‘vigorously defend’ itself against Global Foundries lawsuit
Yesterday, TSMC, alongside high profile tech companies like Apple, Nvidia, ASUS, Google and more, were all dragged into a lawsuit filed by Global Foundries, claiming that TSMC has been making and selling chips that infringe on 16 different patents. As part of the lawsuit, Global Foundries is seeking damages and …
Read More »Global Foundries files lawsuit against TSMC and its customers over patent infringement
This week has started off with a bang, as chipmaker Global Foundries has filed lawsuits against TSMC for infringing on 16 patents and is seeking to stop the importing of infringing chips used by the likes of Apple, Nvidia, ASUS, Google and more. There are 20 defendants named in the …
Read More »AMD Zen 3 said to be on track for 2020, Zen 4 begins design phase
AMD refuses to slow down as next-gen Zen 3 and Zen 4 architectures are on track.
Read More »Nvidia faces patent infringement lawsuit
Over the last few years, a company known as ‘Xperi Corporation’ has been throwing patent infringement lawsuits at some of the biggest companies in tech. In 2017, Xperi won a settlement and license agreement with Broadcom and managed to achieve the same result against Samsung in December 2018. Now, Xperi …
Read More »Apple’s A13 chip will be based on 7nm+, heading into production this month
While we usually get plenty of iPhone leaks well ahead of time, the rumour mill has been relatively quiet this year ahead of the iPhone 11. That is starting to change though, with reports this week indicating that production on the A13 processor has begun, which will be built by …
Read More »TSMC will reportedly use 7nm ‘Pro’ chip in this year’s iPhones and 6nm in 2020
Apple’s upcoming range of iPhones are said to house the tentatively titled A13 processor, which will reportedly use an updated version of TSMC’s 7 nanometre process dubbed N7 Pro. Following this, TSMC has also been working on a 6nm fabrication that should be ready in time for Apple’s 2020 line-up. …
Read More »TSMC chip production affected by ‘substandard’ chemical
TSMC suffered a major setback this week after it emerged that substandard chemicals were used in the production of 10,000 wafers. Chips being produced on the 12nm/16nm line were affected, which could have a knock-on effect for TSMC customers, like Nvidia. TSMC confirmed the news in a statement given to …
Read More »Intel could still outsource chip manufacturing to TSMC
Intel’s struggle with its new 10nm process has put considerable strain on its 14nm chips, with the firm believed to have sought the help of rival TSMC to help with satiate demand. Although Intel later emphasised that it was handling its own manufacturing capacity, industry sources continue to claim that …
Read More »Intel suggests that it is handling the 14nm demand on its own, refuting claims of seeking TSMC’s help
Earlier this week, reports emerged claiming that Intel had outsourced some of its manufacturing to rival TSMC amidst a 14nm silicon shortage. In a bid to dispel these claims, Intel has since issued a statement emphasising that it would solely be investing in its own 14nm manufacturing capacity. The reason …
Read More »Another former TSMC employee has been accused of stealing trade secrets
Back in May 2017, a former TSMC engineer was accused of stealing trade secrets relating to the company's 28nm process technology. Now, a similar situation has come to light this year, with another former TSMC employee charged with stealing trade secrets and attempting to take them to a new job …
Read More »AMD turns to TSMC for future 7nm CPU and GPU production
With GloFlo dropping out of the 7nm race, AMD turns to TSMC for future 7nm CPUs and GPUs.
Read More »TSMC reveals that it was attacked by a variant of the WannaCry virus
Chip supplier TSMC was hit by a virus over the weekend, temporarily shutting down operations and prompting concerns of shipment delays. It seems as though the firm has identified the virus to be related to WannaCry, malicious code formally associated with North Korea according to the US, the UK and …
Read More »TSMC warns partners of shipment delays as it recovers from computer virus
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) factories were forced to close down over the weekend after a computer virus crippled the company’s systems. As a major partner of Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm among others, TSMC has warned that this could cause shipment delays which might impact this year’s iPhone and upcoming …
Read More »TSMC has reportedly begun producing 7nm processors for the next iPhone
We've already heard a number of rumors surrounding this year's iPhone launch, and now we have another likely story to add to the pile. This week, it is being reported that TSMC has begun production on the A12 processors that will feature in this year's flagship iPhones, and may end …
Read More »Apple reportedly working with TSMC to develop MicroLED displays for AR and more
A few weeks back, reports began surfacing claiming that Apple is preparing its shift away from OLED, with development on MicroLED screens already underway. Now, another source has come forward to corroborate this, with plans to switch to MicroLED display tech on the Apple Watch first, with Augmented Reality devices …
Read More »TSMC engineer accused of stealing trade secrets behind 28nm GPU tech used by Nvidia and AMD
It looks like there have been some interesting developments behind the scenes in the tech industry this week, as a former engineer at TSMC has been accused of stealing trade secrets. TSMC has been a supplier for GPUs made by both AMD and Nvidia over the years and yesterday, one …
Read More »Toshiba NAND bid hits $30 billion mark. TSMC bows out, leaves Foxconn in the lead
Reports have surfaced in the Japanese press that TSMC has quit on its bid to buy Toshiba's rather precious NAND-flash business, leaving Foxconn in the lead position. Foxconn has offered to pony-up 3 trillion Yen (around $30 billion), or $21.2 billion more than what Reuters had reported as the sought-after …
Read More »Rumour claims TSMC will supply all A10 chips for Apple’s iPhone 7
This year with the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, Apple had to turn to both Samsung and TSMC in order to manufacture enough A9 SoCs to meet demand for the new smartphone. However, in recent weeks, it has come to light that the TSMC A9 performs noticeably better than Samsung's when …
Read More »Apple downplays iPhone 6s A9 chip power draw concerns
Yesterday news spread that one version of the iPhone 6s seemingly greatly outperforms the other. The A9 chip inside of the new iPhone could be manufactured by either TSMC or Samsung, with the former's version expanding battery life by as much as 20 per cent. This news has since reached …
Read More »The iPhone 6s may have much better performance depending on chip manufacturer
Last year, when Apple launched the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, the company had a bit of a PR nightmare when ‘bendgate' began making headlines. Now this year, Apple faces a new problem, which is currently being dubbed ‘chipgate'. To put it simply, the A9 processor inside of the …
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