AMD Shifts Semiconductor Manufacturing from Samsung to TSMC

AMD’s Strategic Shift in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Samsung’s foundry business is facing challenges as it continues to lose clients to TSMC, the leading global semiconductor manufacturer. In a significant development, AMD has reportedly terminated its 4nm manufacturing agreement with Samsung Foundry and will now rely on TSMC’s facility in Arizona, USA, for its EPYC server processors.

The Challenges Facing Samsung

Despite Samsung’s notable advancements in their 2nm process technology, the company is still grappling with efficiency issues in its 3nm GAA production. This has prompted AMD to reconsider its manufacturing partners. Previously, AMD utilized Samsung’s SF4X process for its Ryzen APUs and Radeon GPUs, but the future of this dual-source strategy remains uncertain.

TSMC’s Stable Production Environment

In contrast, TSMC’s production capabilities are more robust in terms of capacity and reliability. Their Arizona facility has already commenced 4nm production, manufacturing AMD’s upcoming EPYC “Venice” server processors and a portion of the Ryzen 9000 series consumer processors. This move underscores AMD’s confidence in TSMC’s production stability.

Looking Ahead

While this shift is a setback for Samsung Foundry, recent reports indicate an increase in demand for their 2nm process, with improvements in productivity rates. The interest from major players like NVIDIA could potentially influence the future of Samsung’s semiconductor processes. However, AMD’s current preference for TSMC highlights a significant shift in competitive dynamics within the industry.

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