Apple Supplier TSMC to Produce 3nm Chips at Arizona Plant

[MacRumors]

Apple chip supplier TSMC has plans in place to mass produce next-generation 3-nanometer chips at its $12 billion Arizona facility, according to the Taiwanese company's founder.

Speaking to reporters on Monday in Taipei, Morris Chang said the 3-nanometre plant would be located at the same Arizona site as the 5-nanometre plant.

"Three-nanometre, TSMC right now has a plan, but it has not been completely finalized," Chang, who has retired from TSMC but remains influential in the company, told Reuters. "It has almost been finalized - in the same Arizona site, phase two. Five-nanometre is phase one, 3-nanometre is phase two."

Apple is rumored to be moving its custom silicon to the 3nm process starting with the M2 Pro or M3 chip. Both Apple's M3 chip for Macs and A17 chip for iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to be manufactured based on TSMC's enhanced 3nm process. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said he expects the M2 Pro to be used in updates next year to the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro, as well as a high-end Mac mini.

The move to a more advanced process typically results in improved performance and power efficiency, enabling faster speeds and longer battery life on future Macs and iPhones. According to TSMC, 3nm technology, also known as N3, will offer up to 70% logic density gain, up to 15% speed improvement at the same power, and up to 30% power reduction at the same speed when compared to its predecessor. The company says it is targeting volume production in the second half of this year.

Article Link: Apple Supplier TSMC to Produce 3nm Chips at Arizona Plant

 

[goobot]

Good news

 

[Shirasaki]

Now it’s time to migrate those core technologies away from tension areas. Main plant in Taiwan next.
Maybe, just maybe don’t yet pick arizona again? Otherwise it completely defeats the purpose.

 

[MacBird]

"Second half of this year"? Odd phrasing, 2022 is almost over.

 

[MayaUser]

This Arizona Plant probably will mass produce in 2024

 

[MayaUser]

"Second half of this year"? Odd phrasing, 2022 is almost over.

yes is for the Taiwan plant, probably they already started

 

[1557750]

This is excellent.

I heard they were in talks with Frito-Lay to help with production of chips. But Apple wasn’t happy with the amount of air used in their packaging.

 

[jonnysods]

Its a great idea to hedge your bets when it comes to supply chain, and spread things out a little.

I live in Canada, but its good to see Apple make stuff in their homeland.

 

[dannys1]

Buy shares in TSMC now!

 

[rain111]

Time to invest in TSMC!

 

[tridley68]

Its about time they start bringing manufacturing back to the US.

 

[vexus]

it is a trap. End of the day Intel will take over TSMC asset.

 

[GuruZac]

Always good to diversify manufacturing, and as an American, it’s nice to see some of it end up back here.

 

[nt5672]

When China invades Taiwan, we have to be prepared for Taiwan to move to the U.S. Not saying that is good or bad, but the only remaining good chip manufacturing engineers are in Taiwan and China.

 

[senttoschool]

FYI, this does nothing if China gains full control over Taiwan.

Why? Because without Taiwan's expertise, this plant won't be able to operate for long.

 

[Fender2112]

Good news

Great news if it's attached to a 27" iMac

 

[snak-atak]

Good news

Yes, good news indeed! Cannot wait to see the improvements moving to 3nm. I’ll hold onto my iPhone 11 Pro until that arrives. And it’s especially great to see more manufacturing jobs in AZ. Less reliance on other countries will mean a more steady product supply. Even at a slightly higher cost, supply dependability will be a good thing.

 

[rpmurray]

Great news if it's attached to a 17" iMac

I'd prefer a 27 inch or larger iMac.

 

[Retskrad]

The A16 and M2 were mediocre at best. The 3nm M and A-series chips next year better be amazing because if not, it's going to be apparent that Apple has really lost a lot of their top engineers to Qualcomm and other companies.

 

[rain111]

Will have to see how expensive those chips will cost.

 

[Reason077]

The A16 and M2 were awful updates. The 3nm Apple Silicon chips next year better be amazing because if not, Apple has really lost a lot of their top engineers to Qualcomm and other companies.

Either that or the team is just a bit burnt out after working so hard to deliver some of the best chips in the industry, year after year.

 

[jjwwqq]

Is it just me, or is the second half of ”this year” just about over?

 

[Reason077]

Is it just me, or is the second half of ”this year” just about over?

Just you. I've checked my wall calendar and noticed that it's still only April.

 

[jdb8167]

Either that or the team is just a bit burnt out after working so hard to deliver some of the best chips in the industry, year after year.

Or the A16 and M2 are not awful at all but normal updates that happen when the node process doesn’t change much. You know, just like for every other chip manufacturer.

 

[Pahanda]

I still doubt that the M2 Pro & Max will be 3nm and not 5nm. Why do the jump inside one cycle (M2, M2Pro, M2Max, M2Ultra...)?