TSMC says 3nm is still on track, 5nm has entered volume production

Earlier this month, there were some rumors about COVID-19 related delays at TSMC. With the pandemic affecting production and logistics, a lot of companies are seeing major disruptions. But TSMC revealed that its roadmap is still on track and that the rollout of 3nm isn't delayed. The Taiwanese foundry expects to start 3nm technology risk production to start in 2021 and volume production of 3nm in the second half of 2022.

Mass production of N5 (5nm) has already started and is expected to see "a very fast and smooth ramp" in the second half of this year.

For TSMC's N3 (namely 3nm process) technology, the foundry decided to continue using FinFET transistor structure, said company CEO CC Wei at an April 16 investors meeting. The N3 technology will be another "full node stride" from the foundry's N5 (5nm process), according to Wei.

Wei also disclosed that TSMC's N5 is already in volume production with satisfactory yield rates. The foundry expects "a very fast and smooth ramp" of N5 in the second half of 2020, thanks to robust chip demand for mobile and HPC device applications, Wei indicated.