Apple Supplier TSMC Readies 2nm Chips for 2024

[MacRumors]

Apple chip supplier TSMC is planning to manufacture chips with a 2nm fabrication process by 2024, according to Nikkei Asia.

TSMC plans to build a new factory on 50 acres of land for two-nanometer chips in Hsinchu, Taiwan, scheduled to begin manufacturing operations in 2024. Construction has been cleared to begin in early 2022, with equipment being installed in 2023.

For context, if Apple continues with its current naming system for its custom silicon chips, we may tentatively expect the first 2nm Apple chips to be the "A18" or the "M5." While there have not been any reports of Apple planning to move to a 2nm process yet, it seems inevitable that the company will do so in tandem with TSMC since it is Apple's sole processor supplier with an expansive manufacturing capacity.

TSMC's manufacturing capabilities are also considerably more advanced than rival companies like Intel, which have been mired by delays and stagnation with older manufacturing processes, enabling Apple, as a major TSMC client, to maintain a competitive edge with its custom silicon chips. Earlier this week, Intel announced plans to make chips for Qualcomm.

The A14 and M1 chip debuted in devices last year and were Apple's first chips to be manufactured with a 5nm fabrication process. Apple is believed to have already booked an order with TSMC for 4nm custom silicon chips, which are due to begin production this year, ahead of the supplier offering 3nm chips from 2022. 2nm chips in 2024 would be another progression of this miniaturization process.

TSMC is undergoing a rapid global expansion to meet demand, building a 5nm chip facility in Arizona and expanding its 28nm factory in Nanjing, China, while also weighing up the possibility of opening new factories in Japan and Germany.

Article Link: Apple Supplier TSMC Readies 2nm Chips for 2024

 

[farewelwilliams]

intel: "stop it!!!!!!!!!!!"

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Given global warming is causing droughts in Taiwan right now, today, why in the world would building a 50 acre complex that consumes even more water be considered a good idea?

 

[I@beck]

Hello Intel, please pay attention on this.. you might loose your market share if you don’t upgrade..

 

[transpo1]

Wow— 2nm, that’s incredible. Sounds like I’ll be getting this year’s M1X MacBook Pro 💻 and maybe 2024’s M5X MBP 😊

 

[transpo1]

Given global warming is causing droughts in Taiwan right now, today, why in the world would building a 50 acre complex that consumes even more water be considered a good idea?

I think they have to branch out and build factories elsewhere, like in Japan or Germany as the article said, or preferably more manufacturing in the U.S.

The drought is concerning but more concerning to me is the threat that China poses to Taiwan.

The issue is, they have a skilled workforce to tap into in Taiwan, so building elsewhere is probably a heavy lift for that reason.

 

[Serban55]

"TSMC 2nm chip plans announced, a day after Intel said it could catch up"

This is hilarious...probably to catch up 5nm by 2024

 

[Realityck]

That’s impressive compared to what Intel is capable of. Wow

 

[Stromos]

Closer and closer to getting my Mimzy

 

[0134168]

Future is bright.

 

[DevNull0]

2nm is only 20 hydrogen atoms or around 5-8 silicon atoms across. When do they reach smallest possible size?

 

[NightFox]

Wow— 2nm, that’s incredible. Sounds like I’ll be getting this year’s M1X MacBook Pro 💻 and maybe 2024’s M5X MBP 😊

Standby for the 3nm-thick iPhone 14 announcement at WWDC '24. You want longer than a 5 minute battery life? Check out our range of MagSafe battery packs.

 

[Rigby]

Hello Intel, please pay attention on this.. you might loose your market share if you don’t upgrade..

They are working toward that. They announced Monday that their "Intel 20A" process is scheduled to debut in 2024 as well. "20A" stands for 20 Angstrom which is equivalent to 2nm. Of course it remains to be seen if they can execute, but then TSMC might also stumble eventually. Leading edge process technology has become extremely complex and difficult.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

TSMC Ahead of the game ​

 

[kcslc]

Wow— 2nm, that’s incredible. Sounds like I’ll be getting this year’s M1X MacBook Pro 💻 and maybe 2024’s M5X MBP 😊

I see we’ve fallen victim to a great marketing lie.

 

[lkrupp]

Future is bright.

There’s always the specter of China hanging over TSMCs “bright future”. Look at Hong Kong and what’s happening there. China has long claimed Taiwan as part of its territory. China has vowed numerous times to take Taiwan back. The only thing preventing them is the protection of the United States and we all know how fleeting U.S. support can be. If China invaded Taiwan today I wonder what the western democracies’ response would be, other than feeble economic sanctions that would hurt non-Asian companies like Apple.

 

[lkrupp]

2nm is only 20 hydrogen atoms or around 5-8 silicon atoms across. When do they reach smallest possible size?

Then you go quantum.

 

[poked]

and they really can’t do this in the U.S where they aren’t beholden to things like Chinas domineering? Especially after the free speech fiasco that occurred yesterday?? Does precedent mean nothing?

 

[grilledcheesesandwich]

Sounds like 3nm will be a happy medium-term solution.

 

[ghanwani]

Intel PR desk front-running TSMC...

Intel's revised roadmap looks beyond 1 nanometer chips

Forget about "SuperFin Enhanced," the previous name for the node powering Intel's upcoming 10nm Alder Lake processors. Now, that node is just called "Intel 7," according to the company's revised roadmap.

www.engadget.com

"But Intel's prospects are more interesting as we look ahead to 2024, when the company expects to finalize the design for its first chips with transistors smaller than 1 nanometer. They'll be measured by angstroms, instead."

 

[armhol]

and they really can’t do this in the U.S where they aren’t beholden to things like Chinas domineering? Especially after the free speech fiasco that occurred yesterday?? Does precedent mean nothing?

I must question why if you think it is better to manufacture outside of Taiwan your first thought is the U.S.? There are many other places that would just as good if not be better suited.

 

[perplx]

and they really can’t do this in the U.S where they aren’t beholden to things like Chinas domineering? Especially after the free speech fiasco that occurred yesterday?? Does precedent mean nothing?

Capitalism dictates that things must be manufactured as cheaply as possible anywhere in the world, nationalism requires things are made inside the country no matter the cost. Only since covid has nationalism has been prioritized for this particular sector.

 

[apparatchik]

TSMC has one very clear advantage over Intel: they actually deliver what they announce.

Intel can announce a sub-1nm fab design/process by 2023, they can announce basically whatever they want, truth is confidence on delivery is very-low at the moment and has been for some time.

 

[jz0309]

Good to see, and as a Taiwanese company with their core know how and resources of course it will be build there…
Now, IF Intel executes on their recently announced plans, it will be great to have competition, that will be good for all of us.
Now, what is Samsung up to?

 

[poked]

Capitalism dictates that things must be manufactured as cheaply as possible anywhere in the world, nationalism requires things are made inside the country no matter the cost. Only since covid has nationalism has been prioritized for this particular sector.

I know. It’s just depressing we don’t give a crap until it’s basically readily too late to do so with any sort of care.