Posted on Tuesday, July 10 2007 @ 16:25 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
Reports have appeared on the web that TSMC was granted a major deal to produce 45nm processors from AMD. EE Times
reports that under the plan, TSMC would make 45-nm processors on a foundry basis for AMD, with "volume ramp in 2Q 2008'.
This would represent a change in foundry direction for troubled AMD, which is losing money and share to rival Intel Corp. AMD is part of IBM Corp.'s technology alliance, a group of companies that is co-developing IC-manufacturing technologies. AMD is also outsourcing limited chip production to one member of the group: Singapore's Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Pte. Ltd.
AMD is looking to boost its chip outsourcing programs after cutting its capital spending. It could end up working with both TSMC and IBM's technology alliance on the processor front. TSMC also makes graphic processors for troubled ATI Technologies, part of AMD.
''The FBR report is one of many financial analyst reports that speculates on changes to AMD operations. And, like the other reports I've read, its unfounded speculation,'' according to a spokeswoman for AMD.
''AMD maintains strong foundry relationships with Chartered for MPU production and TSMC for GPU and chipset production,'' the spokeswoman said. ''AMD's engagement with these foundry partners is unchanged. Chartered will continue producing AMD x86 microprocessors, augmenting AMD fab operations in Dresden with flexible capacity.''
