Intel would like to entrust TSMC with its future processors to burn them at 5 nm

Intel is reportedly considering relying on TSMC and its 5nm process for future processors. According to DigiTimes, the founder would like to work with its Taiwanese competitor on its 14th generation, nicknamed “Meteor Lake”, which will be the first to adopt a new format similar to what Apple does, where several chips are brought together on a large system-on-chip ( SoC). Intel originally relied on its own 7nm “Intel 4” manufacturing process, but it could entrust production to TSMC, which would bring its expertise and above all a higher industrial capacity.

Meteors over a lake, do you have it? (picture Beau Rogers (CC BY-NC 2.0)).

DigiTimes note in fact that this choice could be made to ensure sufficient availability at launch, in addition to improving the performance/consumption ratio thanks to the refined engraving. Symbolically, it would in any case be a blow for Intel and further recognition of the lead taken in this area by its rival. The Meteor Lake processors were meant to be the first to burn at 7nm and compete with TSMC’s manufacturing processes, but maybe Intel will fall behind their plans.

Apple chips are currently engraved by TSMC at 5 nm, but the founder is not going to stop there and plans to move to 3 nm around 2023 and even 2 nm from 2024 according to rumours. He also said that Intel could also be interested in this production at 3 nm, but until then, Apple has always had the first of new manufacturing processes from TSMC and nothing says that this will change.