Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[pgerassi]

Dear Sgolds:

IBM's Fishkill fab is a 90nm SOI 300mm fab. And it is being used by both IBM and AMD to get a 65nm SOI 300mm process ready. Is there much doubt that AMD is also using that fab to iron out the 90nm SOI 300mm processes to be used in fab 36? Thus fab 36 can produce 90nm SOI 300mm output much quicker as the starting tests are already complete. Thus, it is probable that fab 36 could get 90nm production by Q3 2005. This is just in time for the 90nm K8 dual core dies to be produced. Using this low volume output to qualify fab 36 is another fine idea.

BTW, isn't this another variation on Intel's own "copy exact" fab expansion policy? There may even be 90nm dual core Opterons produced at Fishkill, first as samples than later as production needs arise. That would make IBM into a foundry for 90nm and later, 65nm AMD64 CPUs. And AMD has a knack of making foundries profitable. Just look at the flash fabs.

Of course another way is that AMD buys the Fishkill fab from IBM or becomes a joint owner like it is with Spansion.

Pete