News Samsung Lands Orders for AMD's 4nm CPUs: Report

[Admin]

AMD reportedly outsources some of its upcoming Zen 5c-based CPUs to Samsung Foundry.

Samsung Lands Orders for AMD's 4nm CPUs: Report : Read more

 

[Amdlova]

Intel forcing on tsmc will put amd on samsung nodes... but my fear is the idle power...
Only future will tell.

 

[TechLurker]

I think it's worth trying for AMD. It would allow them to get familiar with Samsung's processes and see what works and what doesn't, and Samsung themselves can improve their processes thanks to having a larger order they can run through their fabs and refine down the line. It also gives AMD a second supplier, and improves their working relationship with Samsung (already partnered on integrating RDNA IP in the mobile space and improving efficiencies there).

Given the "basic" variant rumor, my guess is that Samsung-made CPUs will probably be targeted at the entry to basic level market, where efficiency isn't as important for mass corporate orders or cheap, personal "I just need internet and word processing" desktops. TSMC's CPUs will remain for the high-end professional and enthusiast market, as well as the mid-range where some efficiency is important.

 

[Co BIY]

I am interested in how much "Fab flexibility" is created by the improvements in design and layout tools / software (EDA).

Does the software make it much easier to "switch" between processes and nodes ?

Some coverage of the major EDA players (Cadence, Synopsys, Ansys, and Siemens) and how they view the future would be interesting.

As far as the importance of AMD trying a Samsung node. Of course they are. Fab flexibility is one of their major structural advantages over at least one key competitor. If they were permanently wedded to TSMC then they would be in the same position as Intel in being tied to a single fab ecosystem. (Even Intel is actually diversified beyond their own production system)

 

[JamesJones44]

If Samsung's newer nodes are at least close to par with TSMC's there are good reasons to look at Samsung. Apple typically pays a lot of money to gain first access to TSMCs leading edge nodes which means others like AMD, Nvidia, etc. have to get in line. AMD may not face that problem with Samsung at this juncture.

 

[usertests]

Intel forcing on tsmc will put amd on samsung nodes... but my fear is the idle power...
Only future will tell.

AMD could make an APU or Zen 5c server chiplet on Samsung 4nm, clock it down a little, lower the prices relative to other products, and call it a day.