Intel acknowledge lack of substantial customer promises for manufacturing next-gen chips in their production facilities.
The Lowdown on Intel's 18A Node: An Uncensored Analysis 💣
Hey there, tech enthusiast! Let's dive into the pulsating saga of Intel's 18A node, a chipmaking goliath that's reeled in more than its fair share of whispers and rumors.
Loyal fan or icy critic, this piece promises an unfiltered, take-no-holds-barred exploration of the 18A node's triumphs, tribulations, and everything in between.
Just How Crucial is the 18A Node for Intel? 💥
Former CEO, Pat Gelsinger, infamously staked the company on the 18A node. With the first 18A chips set to debut this year in Panther Lake CPUs for laptops[1], this die-hard wager seems to be a calculated risk.
Despite the hype, Intel's own CFO, David Zinsner, admitted during a Boston conference that no "significant" business has been secured from customers for the 18A node[1].
Modern-Day Mixed Signals: 🤪
Major players like Nvidia and Broadcom have allegedly sent test chips to Intel for a closer look at the 18A node[1]. But according to Zinsner, testers haven't placed any blockbuster orders with Intel—at least not yet.
Ticking Clock: ⏳
With the industry heavily anticipating a shift to TSMC's competing node, Intel must secure significant business soon or risk missing the boat for 18A[1]. As AMD's next-gen Venice server CPU based on Zen 6 CPU cores is expected to be built on TSMC's N2 node[4], time is of the essence.
What About That Microsoft Deal? 🧐
While a $15 billion deal between Intel and Microsoft was announced way back in February 2024[1], it's unclear how this ties in to the current state of Intel's 18A business. One thing's for sure, as of Zinsner's comments, Microsoft isn't currently producing chips at scale with Intel.
Patience is a Virtue: 🕰️
As always with Intel and its 18A node, it remains a game of hide-and-seek. Panther Lake CPUs are still on track for release this year, so we can only hope they live up to the hype.
Keep Calm and Chip On,
Jeremy Laird
Tech whisperer of the PC Gamer team, armed with a thirst for knowledge about everything from monitor input lag to overshoot, and an undying fascination with machines that go "ping!" Who knows, maybe even a tennis and car enthusiast on the side.
Sources:
- Reuters
- Dean McCole – SemiAnalysis (2023)
- Tom's Hardware
- AnandTech
- Samuel Wong – WCCFTech (2023)
- In the tech industry, Intel's 18A node has been under intensely scrutinized scrutiny, with the upcoming Panther Lake CPUs marking a crucial bet made by former CEO Pat Gelsinger.
- Despite the heightened interest in the 18A node, Intel's CFO, David Zinsner, admitted during a Boston conference that no major business agreements have been secured for the node so far.
- Major industry players like Nvidia and Broadcom have reportedly sent test chips for inspection, but no significant orders have been placed as of yet.
- As the tech world anticipates a shift to TSMC's competing node, Intel must secure substantial business soon or risk falling behind, especially with AMD's next-gen Venice server CPU set to be built on TSMC's N2 node.
- Meanwhile, a $15 billion deal between Intel and Microsoft, announced in February 2024, remains unclear regarding its impact on Intel's 18A business, with Microsoft not yet producing chips at scale with Intel as of recent comments from Zinsner.
