NVIDIA evaluates Samsung’s 3nm GAA process
In late June 2022, Samsung declared that its Hwaseong facility in Korea had initiated the production of 3nm chips, employing the avant-garde GAA (Gate-All-Around) transistor architecture. However, during the inception of its mass production, the yield rate for Samsung’s 3nm GAA process was somewhat underwhelming. Yet, courtesy of the relentless endeavors from Samsung and its collaborators, it’s whispered that the yield has surged to an admirable 60% to 70%, prompting Samsung to redouble efforts to reaffirm trust among chip designers.
Recently, an insider unveiled that NVIDIA is presently evaluating Samsung’s 3nm GAA process, with plans for mass production anticipated in 2025. Given the tangible improvement in the yield rate of Samsung’s 3nm GAA process in recent months, its allure has undeniably intensified, augmenting Samsung’s chances of securing further orders. With TSMC continually escalating wafer foundry costs, myriad chip design firms are recontemplating the diversification of their production outsourcing, thereby granting Samsung additional opportunities.
Past reports intimated that several clients have manifested burgeoning interest in Samsung’s 3nm GAA process for their future endeavors. This includes luminaries such as NVIDIA (for GPUs), Qualcomm (SoCs), IBM (CPUs), and Baidu (for cloud server AI chips). These corporations have a rich tapestry of collaboration with Samsung, fostering a profound familiarity. Rumors suggest at least six chip design companies are on this roster, although genuine intent might not translate into immediate production.
Insiders opine that several enterprises are orchestrating strategies to diminish their reliance on TSMC, endeavoring to diversify their semiconductor supply chains. Samsung, on the other hand, is fervently aspirational to secure 3nm chip orders posthaste. Given the astronomical expenses associated with pioneering semiconductor technologies, the absence of consistent revenue streams could imperil the recouping of their developmental investments.
