Samsung and its 3nm GAA process have been over the horizon recently, with reports of substantial improvements in yield rates. However, the 3nm GAA chip can already be seen in action in a crypto-mining ASIC machine. It was previously reported that Samsung had shipped the first batch of 3nm chips to a Chinese cryptocurrency miner, which could be the case here.
Samsung's 3nm Process Has Achieved Record Yield Rates, Attracting Interest From Several Companies Including Cryptominers?
TechInsights has discovered Samsung's SF3E process being utilized in the Whatsminer M56S++ crypto-mining ASIC. For a brief recap, a crypto-mining ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) is a specialized computer chip designed explicitly for the purpose of mining cryptocurrencies. They are used to solve complex mathematical calculations and are highly optimized for mining tasks.
👉https://t.co/9Ws1tzINud
Discovery alert! @TechInsightsInc discovered @Samsung's industry-first #3nm GAA process in the Whatsminer M56S++ crypto-mining ASIC. GAA process enables scaling to 2nm & beyond, higher speeds, lower power usage, & more! #Samsung #Semiconductor #3nm #GAA pic.twitter.com/tLQjfCKfVS— TechInsights (@techinsightsinc) July 17, 2023
Although the reason behind the use of Samsung's SF3E process here isn't specific yet, one prominent cause could be a way to test the new process and examine its performance. Since ASICs don't involve complex production methods and design, using them as initial testing is a great choice.
Samsung has already initiated mass production of its 1st generation 3nm process, with the second generation expected by 2024. Samsung's employed GAAFET technology gives it a head start over TSMC since it is the first company to adopt the transistor technology. The process provides a 50% power reduction, with a 35% area reduction from previous processes, attracting several corporate buyers' interest.
One way Samsung is still behind TSMC is when it comes to converting the interest to actual orders. The 3nm GAA process hasn't been utilized in any mainstream product till now, and although there have been rumors that companies like Qualcomm and AMD are planning to adopt a dual-sourcing strategy, it hasn't been confirmed yet.
However, we expect the tables to turn around for Samsung Foundry, particularly in light of recent reports that Samsung had achieved 3nm GAA yield rates up to 60%, much higher than TSMC. For now, the market share is in favor of TSMC, but the landscape could shift in the upcoming years.
News Source: Tom's Hardware
About the author: Muhammad Zuhair is a hardware and technology reporter for Wccftech, specializing in the semiconductor industry and the complex interplay between technology, manufacturing, and geopolitics. His coverage focuses on the corporate strategies and technological roadmaps of industry giants like TSMC, NVIDIA, Samsung, and Intel. Zuhair's expertise lies in deconstructing complex topics such as fabrication nodes (e.g., 2nm process), the economic impact of policies like the CHIPS Act, and the strategic development of AI infrastructure from NVIDIA, AMD and Intel.
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