Intel confirms Amazon as latest customer for 18A node

In a new press release, Intel has confirmed it will manufacture chips for Amazon Web Services (AWS) on its 18A node. Furthermore, the chipmaker will also produce special Intel Xeon CPUs on Intel 3. Exactly which chip gets the 18A treatment is unknown, but it is likely proprietary hardware from Amazon. Both companies plan to set shop in Ohio, where Amazon plans to invest an additional $7.8 billion on top of the existing $10.3 billion it invested since 2015. Matt Garman, CEO at AWS, had the following to say,

By co-developing next-generation AI fabric chips on Intel 18A, we continue our long-standing collaboration, dating back to 2006 when we launched the first Amazon EC2 instance featuring their chips. Our continued collaboration allows us to empower our joint customers with the ability to run any workload and unlock new AI capabilities

This announcement comes shortly after Intel announced it got a $3 billion contract from the United States Department of Defense to manufacture military-grade semiconductors. Once again, it will leverage Intel's 18A process, which is the first in the industry to offer backside power delivery.

While Broadcom wasn't particularly impressed with Intel 18A, the node has made some progress and will likely be used by more Intel Foundry customers (potentially Arm) in the coming weeks. Intel's in-house Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest CPUs have already powered on the node, and yields are said to be improving after initial setbacks.

Intel's collaboration with AWS and the Department of Defense is a much-needed shot in the arm after plummeting stock prices, the CPU degradation controversy, and the $30 billion missed opportunity making chips for the PlayStation 6. Increased 18A adoption will also help Intel develop an IP library and ecosystem around its first public node, paving the way for other companies to consider Intel Foundry for their chip needs.