News MediaTek Beats Apple to 3nm Process

[Admin]

MediaTek tapes out first 3nm smartphone SoC with TSMC. But what about IFS relationship?.

MediaTek Beats Apple to 3nm Process : Read more

 

[MartianM]

Such a ridiculous title and premise. We all know Apple taped out multiple N3 designs months ago and will release the first one, the A17, to customers next week. The M3 will follow in multiple products in Q4, well before MediTek ship anything. You should have fixed the article before publishing it purely for the troll value. Tom’s used to be way better than this trollop

 

[JamesJones44]

Beating it to market in a race that isn't a race isn't a big deal. Apple releases their devices same time every year so really, Apple likely already has millions of these on hand, but hasn't released them yet while the ramp production for release.

 

[TJ Hooker]

Yeah, this feels like a real bait and switch article. The N3B process Apple is already using is still a 3nm process. And it's rumored that they'll be switching the A17 to the N3E process next year, so they could have already taped it out, much like Mediatek, they just didn't announce it.

 

[syadnom]

This is getting too caught up in details. 3nm means likely lower power consumption *but* it doesn't mean better IPC or work per watt. I'd rather have a 6nm apple m3 than a 3nm mediatek based on all current benchmarks because the 6nm get's more done in less power. Sure, 3nm is one path to more efficiency but we need to see more advanced arm itterations in these chips before 3nm is exciting AND apple is dropping 3nm chips really soon anyway with their superior performance.

 

[bit_user]

MediaTek this week announced that it had successfully taped out its first flagship smartphone system-on-chip using TSMC's 3nm-class fabrication process, which technically means it has beaten Apple to the first 3nm SoC.
...
Apple's 3nm mobile application processor is reportedly in mass production and is about to hit the market later this month when the company launches its iPhone 15 series. Meanwhile, MediaTek's next-generation Dimensity flagship will be made in 2024.

Wow, that's what passes for journalism, around here? If MediaTek is only now taping out, and Apple is in mass production, then doesn't that technically mean that Apple beat MediaTek to the first 3 nm SoC?? Just because MediaTek announces first doesn't mean they were first!

This article is 🤮

 

[bit_user]

3nm means likely lower power consumption *but* it doesn't mean better IPC or work per watt.

That statement is based on what, exactly? Oh, right. Absolutely nothing.

Attribute	N5 vs. N7	N3 vs. N5	N3E vs. N5	N2 vs. N3E
Power	-30%​	-25-30%​	-34%​	-25-30%​
Performance	+15%​	+10-15%​	+18%​	+10-15%​
Chip Density*	?​	?​	~1.3X​	>1.15X​
Volume Manufacturing	Q2 2022​	H2 2022​	Q2/Q3 2023​	H2 2025​

Source: https://www.anandtech.com/show/1883...e-power-delivery-in-2026-n2x-added-to-roadmap
​

According to that, N3 means 10-15% better performance on the same design, at the same power. Or, using 34% less power at the same performance. That's how TSMC rates the performance and power gains of successive nodes. Take your pick, but there's your gains in "work per watt".

Now, without changing the design, you don't get any extra IPC. So, what's more common to see is chip designers taking advantage of the additional density to use larger structures, which is where we get the IPC gains. When run at the same power, that tends to deliver even greater perf/W.

 

[newtechldtech]

Wow, that's what passes for journalism, around here? If MediaTek is only now taping out, and Apple is in mass production, then doesn't that technically mean that Apple beat MediaTek to the first 3 nm SoC?? Just because MediaTek announces first doesn't mean they were first!

This article is 🤮

and how do you know ? mass production dos not mean the first SOC was made before MediaTek , because you simply "dont know" when Mediatek started ... the article is 100 accurate , they announced it FIRST while Apple made a mistake because they did not predict it , "too much confidence" ..

 

[bit_user]

and how do you know ? mass production dos not mean the first SOC was made before MediaTek , because you simply "dont know" when Mediatek started ... the article is 100 accurate , they announced it FIRST while Apple made a mistake because they did not predict it , "too much confidence" ..

We actually do know, on the basis that MediaTek is using N3E. According to TSMC's roadmap, N3E is much further behind N3 (AKA N3B).

TSMC Details 3nm Evolution: N3E On Schedule, N3P and N3X To Deliver 5% Performance Gains

www.anandtech.com

MediaTek's projected ship dates are consistent with TSMC's roadmap, and well behind when Apple is expected to have phones on the market. The article even says as much:

"MediaTek's next-generation Dimensity flagship will be made in 2024."
​

If you're going to contradict someone, try basing your argument on facts and evidence.

 

[purpleduggy]

looking forward to better battery life on new phones in 2024

 

[bit_user]

looking forward to better battery life on new phones in 2024

It's a lot to do with how high phone makers push frequencies, though. If you sacrificed a little performance, you could probably run your phone a lot longer (modulo whatever overhead it takes to power the 5G modem, GPS, bluetooth, wifi, and whatever other power vampires are enabled).

Another big piece of it is how much overhead app developers decide to use. For instance, it seems like Amazon Music is getting slower and more bloated, for no apparent functional benefit to me, as a user.

 

[purpleduggy]

It's a lot to do with how high phone makers push frequencies, though. If you sacrificed a little performance, you could probably run your phone a lot longer (modulo whatever overhead it takes to power the 5G modem, GPS, bluetooth, wifi, and whatever other power vampires are enabled).

Another big piece of it is how much overhead app developers decide to use. For instance, it seems like Amazon Music is getting slower and more bloated, for no apparent functional benefit to me, as a user.

agree. the ultimate would be a flagship cpu with a special oled screen that allows you to run it at 720p for normal use (higher res eats battery significantly) but then have a setting to jump up to 4k when needed. and an ultra large battery with very power efficient clock speeds. Would be great to get the power when you need it but dial it down for the day to day so you can get 14 day battery life even with heavy daily use. for most things the power usage should be minimal with exception of video and timeline scrolling. ultra power efficiency modes should be a focus for flagship phones. if they can boast 30 day battery life in a low power mode it would be a huge selling point.