Intel's 1.8nm mass production is ahead of TSMC's 2nm, and its performance may surpass that of TSMC and Samsung
Oct 10, 2022| Intel's 1.8nm mass production is ahead of TSMC's 2nm, and its performance may surpass that of TSMC and Samsung
TSMC recently announced that its N2 (or 2nm process) schedule could start mass production by the end of 2025, later than Intel's 18A node (equivalent to 1.8nm process). Intel's acceleration in advanced process development led it to believe it could "flip the script" and outperform rivals TSMC and Samsung in performance with the 18A node, the agency said.
TSMC's N2 schedule comes just days after Intel revealed that production of its next-generation 18A node will begin in the second half of 2024, months earlier than its previous estimate of 2025. Intel CEO Henry Kissinger believes Intel will become the process performance leader with its 18A node, and the early start of production is a sign of the company's confidence.
Scotten Jones, head of semiconductor consulting firm IC Knowledge, said that if Intel did meet its target on time, it would mark a reversal in the competitive landscape. Previously, Intel had fallen behind TSMC and Samsung in cutting-edge manufacturing due to missteps in the 10nm and 7nm processes. Until then, the analyst doesn't think Intel has a chance to catch up.
