Oh man, where to even start with this Intel thing? So, rumors are swirling, right? Intel Foundry might’ve just hit their jackpot, like the tech world’s version of an “iPhone moment” — all thanks to this 18A process thingy. Seriously, tech giants are apparently all over it. Wild.
So here’s the scoop: Intel’s chip game? Kind of dire. Not just about cash (though, yeah, money always talks), but they kinda need to knock TSMC off its pedestal, especially here in the States. Post-Trump deal days, everyone’s eyeing TSMC’s shiny new US digs as a cool hangout instead of Taiwan. Enter Intel with their golden ticket: the 18A process. Korean media, ChosunBiz or something, says Intel’s chatting up NVIDIA, Microsoft, Google — the whole gang. Seems like a spicy alternative to TSMC’s N2 process. Who would’ve thought?
Oh, and during this Direct Connect 2025 shindig, Intel bragged big about how their 18A’s “the most advanced process manufactured in the US.” Bold claim, huh? They’re saying it goes head-to-head with TSMC’s N2, SRAM-density, performance mojo, all that jazz. Feels like they went from Intel 3 to this beast, and now everyone’s like, “Whoa, check this out.”
Okay, but here’s something weird — the buzz around 18A? Apparently tied to a leadership reshuffle. Enter Lip-Bu Tan, the new CEO. His grand vision, or whatever, spotlights semiconductor design automation. Fancy words, I know. EDA, packaging, foundry, you name it. Rumor has it, he’s chucking out the “IDM 2.0” plan. Does this mean happy days for Intel’s CPU business too? I just… can’t even.
TSMC’s lines are bursting at the seams — like, wow, can you even fit another chip there? So yeah, firms are casting about. Intel’s looking solid, ready to compete with TSMC’s 2nm node. Samsung’s in the race too, but let’s be honest here, they haven’t quite snagged the lead yet.
Anyway, the tech world, man. Always a ride.
