Intel plans to use TSMC’s 3nm node process for the GPU tiles in its arrow Lake processors. According to DigiTimes, Intel’s Arrow Lake processors have been delayed and will begin shipping in Q4 2024, with higher availability expected in the second half of 2025. Digitimes reports that Intel 15th generation arrow Lake processors will ship later than previously expected.
According to a Digitimes report, Intel 15th generation arrow Lake processors will be shipped later than previously expected. Taiwanese Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) 3nm node performance exceeded expectations, the outlet explained, but Intel delayed plans to order nodes until Q4 2024. That delay pushes back availability until the second half of 2025. Manufacturing will take time to reach a level suitable for mass shipping.
Now, the company says its arrow Lake production is on track for 2024, with a compute tile produced in Intel’s 20A (2nm-speed) node and a graphics tile made in TSMC’s N3E. Remember there are eight lake CPUs at the time. TSMC has extensive experience with its 3nm-speed process technologies, TSMC’s N3/N3E problems are unlikely to have led to Intel’s decision to delay Auro Lake.
Internally, the company is set to produce its datacenter-based Granite Rapid (based on high-performance cores) and Sierra Forest (based on power-efficient cores) Processors in its Intel 3 node (formerly known as 5nm). This fabrication process was essentially a refined version of Intel 4, but with better performance per watt, higher drive currents, reduced latency and denser high-pressure libraries. All of these characteristics are especially beneficial for datacenter-class processors, but are also good for mobile CPUs by reducing resistance. Therefore, Intel has so far only revealed two products it will build internally on its 3nm-class nodes.
TSMC’s 3nm process exceeding expectations is promising for both the Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturing company and Intel. TSMC is likely to see business from Apple, Intel and other companies seeking to use the high-end processor technology. Intel benefits from TSMC’s improvements and supports its predictable decision to use an external foundry for its 15th generation arrow Lake processors.
