TSMC
TSMC business and news from across the web.
From a dentist's basement to half a trillion dollars and AI: Here's how memory manufacturer Micron Technology…Micron Technology, a major semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Boise, Idaho, has a long history dating back to its founding in 1978. The company has navigated numerous challenges, including intense competition from Japanese firms, market shortages, and internal leadership changes. Micron has played a significant role in the development of DRAM and NAND flash memory, and its recent investments are bolstered by the CHIPS and Science Act, aiming to expand US-based semiconductor production.
Nvidia's Jensen Huang confirms he was once asked to become chief executive of TSMC: 'I declined it... it's an unbelievable offer, but I simply couldn't take it'Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang confirmed he was offered the chief executive position at TSMC in 2013 but declined the offer. Huang expressed deep admiration for TSMC's manufacturing system, culture, and trustworthiness, despite the significant business relationship between the two companies.- Elon Musk announces Terafab project he claims will be the 'largest chip manufacturing facility ever'Elon Musk announced the Terafab project, a joint venture between Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, aiming to build the largest chip manufacturing facility ever. The project, estimated to cost at least $20 billion, will produce a terawatt of computing power annually to meet the companies' growing chip demands for terrestrial applications like Full Self-Driving and Optimus robots, as well as high-powered chips for space.
Memory prices could leap even higher as the supply of helium, crucial to making chips, is now impacted by the conflict…The conflict in the Middle East is impacting the global supply of helium, a critical component for semiconductor manufacturing. Major chipmakers like Samsung and SK Hynix are facing instability in sourcing helium, which is a byproduct of liquefied natural gas production. This disruption, particularly affecting South Korea's imports from Qatar, could lead to increased memory prices and potential production cuts for less profitable chips.
How to make your very own semiconductor-class cleanroom in a wooden shed and build your own chips, well kindaA DIY enthusiast has constructed a Class 100 semiconductor cleanroom within a backyard wooden shed using common materials and HEPA filters to maintain positive air pressure. While this setup achieves the necessary air purity for chip manufacturing, the article highlights the prohibitive cost and complexity of acquiring the actual chip-making tools, which run into billions of dollars, making home chip fabrication impractical.
Sony may push ahead with PS6 despite rising component costsDespite rising component costs, Sony is unlikely to delay the PlayStation 6 launch, as doing so could incur greater financial penalties. The company has reportedly secured processor manufacturing capacity and invested heavily in the console's APU. Sony previously navigated similar cost pressures during the PlayStation 5's launch.
PS6 to launch in late 2027 claims insider, despite memory shortageAn insider claims Sony's PlayStation 6 is still on track for a late 2027 launch, despite ongoing RAM shortages. Documents suggest manufacturing will begin in Q2 2027, with the cost of delaying the console outweighing inflated memory prices. The PlayStation 6 is expected to support 4K resolution at 120fps with ray tracing.
Project Helix is 25 Percent Faster Than PS6, Sony Unlikely to Delay Console to 2029 – RumorA rumor suggests that the upcoming 'Project Helix' (next-gen Xbox) will feature hardware approximately 25 percent faster than Sony's PlayStation 6. The report details differences in AMD chips, compute units, and potential manufacturing costs, with Project Helix's chip being larger and more expensive. Despite potential hardware advantages for the Xbox, the PlayStation 6 is not expected to be delayed beyond its rumored 2027 or early 2028 launch window due to logistical and cost considerations.- 'I think the fact that everything is scarce is fantastic for us' says Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang '...in a world of constraint, you have no choice but to choose the best'Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang discussed how supply constraints are advantageous for the company, allowing them to prioritize the best technology and secure manufacturing capacity. He highlighted Nvidia's strong financial position enables them to guarantee supply chains for partners like Microsoft, even for large-scale AI factory deployments. While beneficial for Nvidia's AI business, these constraints are noted as a headwind for the gaming sector.
AMD's CPU division is booming as CEO Dr. Lisa Su says sales 'far exceeded my expectations'AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su reported that the company's CPU sales have significantly exceeded expectations, largely driven by the increasing demand for AI inference. While this surge presents supply challenges, Su stated AMD is well-positioned to meet demand. The article also touches on the potential node choices for future AMD consumer CPUs and the broader implications of AI demand on the PC market.
AMD Ryzen 11,000 Zen 6 Desktop CPUs May Launch in 2027A new report suggests AMD's next-generation Ryzen 11,000 series desktop CPUs, based on the Zen 6 architecture, may launch in 2027 instead of the previously expected 2026. This potential delay could be due to TSMC's N2 process availability and rising component costs. Zen 6 may first appear in server CPUs in 2026 before reaching consumer desktops.