A shocking report out of Korea states that chips Samsung Foundry says will probably be made with its 2nm process node would possibly really be produced with its second-generation 3nm node. If this sounds complicated and misleading, you are completely appropriate. Imagine being a Samsung Foundry consumer anticipating to have chips made utilizing the cutting-edge 2nm node subsequent yr and discovering out that they had been produced utilizing the second-gen 3nm node.
In different phrases, Samsung Foundry is renaming its second-generation 3nm node 2nm. Per Wccftech (by way of ZDNet), an govt within the fabless semiconductor trade (which merely signifies that his firm would not personal any fabrication services and contracts with Samsung Foundry to construct the chips that they design) stated, “We have been knowledgeable by Samsung Electronics that they’ll change the 2nd technology 3-nano know-how to 2-nano know-how. Last yr, the contract signed at Samsung Electronics Foundry for 2nd technology 3-nano know-how was additionally renamed to 2-nano know-how, and the contract was just lately rewritten.”
Last month, we advised you that Preferred Networks (PFN) grew to become the primary buyer to signal on the dotted line to have their chip design become an actual chip utilizing Samsung Foundry’s 2nm node. As it seems, the brand new report says that the order was actually for chips to be manufactured utilizing Samsung Foundry’s second-generation 3nm node. Samsung Foundry is meant to start out mass manufacturing of 2nm chips within the second half of subsequent yr. But that will probably be moved up if this report is true since it deliberate to supply chips utilizing its second-gen 3nm node this yr.
Samsung Foundry is asking its second-generation 3nm node 2nm
The beforehand quoted govt within the fabless semiconductor trade stated that the name change from second-generation 3nm node to 2nm was finished as a result of Samsung Foundry has been capable of shrink the dimensions of the transistors for the chip utilizing optimizations. This will enable extra transistors to suit contained in the renamed 2nm chip permitting it to ship efficiency will increase and/or energy-efficiency.
Something else to think about. Another cause why Samsung Foundry would possibly be capable of get by with this name change is that, not like TSMC, Samsung Foundryis already utilizing Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistors with its 3nm process node. TSMC is switching from FinFET to GAA transistors with its 2nm manufacturing in 2025. GAA transistors have a gate protecting all 4 sides of the channel due to the use of vertically positioned horizontal nanosheets.
GAA transistors scale back present leaks and improve the drive present. This ends in improved electrical indicators passing via and in between the transistors enhancing the efficiency of the chip.
We’re certain to listen to extra about this from Samsung Foundry and maybe even from TSMC and Intel. Keep checking in with us for the newest.
