Might just be an equipment sale and makes sense as the company is trying to shift to 18a as quickly as possible, and has repeatedly stated that all non-EUV nodes are to be discontinued.
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Ok, maybe the site is semi accurate.
@cs+1jj7ahkne Buying used equipment might work if it's sold basically for free or scrap. Using non-optimized equipment will negatively impact yield, and at the end of the day, that will significantly increase costs and output. Also, at this point, Intel would be better off using 7nm or other fully depreciated equipment... because, just as I pointed out, while they may not get the best yield, they don't have to pay depreciation, and thus have a lower product cost. However, given how obese and inefficient IFS/TMG has been/is today, even free equipment (or billions in CHIPS money) can't get them cost competitive with TSMC. That's why Intel is failing... even when someone gives you billions in free money, IFS still can't be break-even, let alone.
@ag+1jj7ahkne this is a misinformed argument. Literally, I have been directly involved with buying tools from Intel about a decade ago. Custom made for Intel.... Do you customize your house when you buy a new house from a builder...cabinets, flooring, color of paint, etc? Ok, then yes I guess they are "custom".
Is the configuration slightly different than what we wanted/used - Yes. Did we modify it to make it the configuration we wanted for under 100K - Yes. Vast majority of tooling at Intel is common equipment used by almost every 300mm manufacturer. Secondly you are assuming everyone else is CE like Intel. Some aren't and won't even bother to modify it. They will just tune it in so it reasonably matches. It is not uncommon, especially with some of and analog/mixed signal guys to have two completely different tools running the same process. They neither need nor want Intel's help with this. They just want you to sell them the tool for pennies on the dollar compared with what you paid for it.
@ag+1jj7ahkne You are overstating the situation, but point taken.
There are plenty of tools which can be configured to other use. Intel has warehouses full of old tools that they sell on the open market, so IP is not an issue although the tools would have to be modified for use by other manufacturers.
The recipes are unique to Intel processes, but the tools are mostly not unique to Intel.
Years ago Intel bought and modified several fabs and has also sold fabs in the past. In each case these were isolated facility situations.
This rumor dovetails with noise about something going on with GF, and if they got Ireland for example (the main 7mn site), they would refit it for their purposes.
But they may just be interested in specific tools, for example the non-EUV scanners (and related tools) that Intel wants to stop using.
Charlie should know better... fabs and fab equipment are not just widgets. First off, Intel fab equipment are all custom made for Intel, and Intel IP. Unless someone buys or licenses Intel IP, the equipment is useless. Similarly, someone would have to hire the right staff to operate the fab, of which, given the specialized equipment, it would have to be existing Intel employees. It's like someone trying to buy a Ford auto factory to make Kias. Without new equipment, IP, and staff... it's less than worthless, but a drain on the company. Even the fab shell would be near worthless, as the floor plan layout is optimized for Intel (hence, that's why we hear about fab shells that get built, but sit vacant).
This might be the basis for the GF rumors, which would make sense.
@OP+1jj7ahkne Charlie is accurate as a broken clock... right twice a day and wrong the other 86,398 seconds of the time.
This one I believe. The company still runs on moonshots and legacy nodes are too boring. Similarly since they’re actually useful there probably is a buyer.
But normally semi accurate does creative writing
Just 1x7nm system will subsidize everyone’s WFH for a week. The silence is deafening and there’s cool breeze blowing
Fire sale. Sell bit by bit off. Piecemeal. Good times won’t increase chaos and tension at all