Intel Corp (INTC)

[Ideal_Inv]

Pursuant to Ashraf Eassa's article on BK's 10nm comments:
[Intel's CEO Makes a Questionable Claim on an Earnings Conference Call - https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/05/07/intel-corp-ceo-makes-a-questionable-claim-on-an-ea.aspx?]

1) Though BK's comments may be correct as of today (according to Chipworks - see below) Ashraf is right that the lead is extremely narrow. And Intel will probably be behind if TSMC does manage to move to 7nm volume production now (Q2-Q3 2018) without running into any issues.

2) EUV seems to be very close now, TSMC is talking about using EUV in their 7nm+ process early 2019. Though BK mentioned that Intel would use EUV in many of its 7nm manufacturing steps, it would be interesting to know how Intel is actually faring with its move to EUV and 7nm.

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https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20180508PD211.html

According to Chipworks, Intel's 14nm chips boast the closest fin pitches achievable now, with its 14nm process outperforming the 10nm technologies of both TSMC and Samsung.

While Intel will not start volume production of 10nm process until 2019, TSMC has fared smoothly in process advancement, having kicked off volume production of 7nm process in the second quarter of 2018 to fabricate A12 processors for Apple's new iPhone devices and Qualcomm's smartphone APs, the sources said.

TSMC's 7nm+ involving EUV technology will be slated for production in early 2019, and 5nm volume production is set to start in 2020, with 3nm process also on the drawing board, the sources indicated.