AMD could outsource some of its APU and GPU production to Samsung in the near future
Some time ago, we reported that Intel was planning on outsourcing some of the manufacturing of some future processors to TSMC. However, that endeavour isn't due to start until TSMC's 3nm process is up and running in H2 2022. A new rumour suggests that AMD is looking at Samsung to manufacture some of its future APUs and GPUs.
The information came from South Korean tech forum Clein and was spotted by Twitter user @harukaze5719. As always, some scepticism is in order. Although Clien has given us accurate predictions before, it is an open forum where anyone can post unverified claims. Given the massive success of current and previous-generation Ryzen products, AMD wants to ramp up production. However, TSMC cannot handle such volumes at this point, because that it already has its hands full with the likes of Apple, who has called dibs on most of TSMC's entire 5nm process for its in-house silicon. That is why AMD is looking at Samsung to help with its manufacturing woes.
AMD could likely be one of the first companies to utilize Samsung's upcoming 3nm facilities. However, it is still weighing its options before committing to Samsung. Shifting production to a new fab is fairly cost-intensive, and AMD could be better off just eating the losses incurred by reduced volumes. Things aren't getting any better for AMD anytime soon, because TSMC is soliciting Apple and Intel's help for its 2nm node's research. It stands to reason that they will be given higher priority compared to AMD.
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