Intel's 18A Process Draws Interest from Nvidia and Broadcom Amid Testing
Nvidia and Broadcom are evaluating Intel's advanced chipmaking process, with potential contracts signaling a critical opportunity for Intel's struggling foundry business.
- Nvidia and Broadcom are conducting tests of Intel's 18A manufacturing process to evaluate its capabilities, though no contracts have been confirmed yet.
- The 18A process is positioned as a competitor to TSMC's advanced N2 node, promising improved performance and density for AI and complex chip production.
- Intel has faced delays in ramping up production for third-party clients, pushing timelines for smaller customers to mid-2026 due to intellectual property qualification challenges.
- Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is reportedly assessing the 18A process, but it remains unclear whether it has initiated testing with Intel.
- Intel's foundry business, which posted significant losses in 2024, is viewed as key to the U.S. government's strategy to bolster domestic semiconductor manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.