Megalith
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A 3nm fab being planned by chip foundry giant TSMC is likely to cost more than $20 billion to build and equip: it’s the price for staying ahead of Intel and Samsung in cutting-edge semiconductor production. TSMC, the main assembler of mobile phone processors for Apple, spends some $10 billion annually to keep ahead of competitors and safeguard its perch as the predominant player in bespoke semiconductors.
It’s now building a three-nanometer technology plant, its most sophisticated yet, in southern Taiwan. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter and measures the width of each transistor in a chip. Smaller transistors allow chipmakers to boost performance. The much-anticipated decision, announced last week, was made after debates about the island’s suitability given chronic power shortages over the summer. But the government, mindful of TSMC’s clout in the local economy, has offered strong assurances.
It’s now building a three-nanometer technology plant, its most sophisticated yet, in southern Taiwan. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter and measures the width of each transistor in a chip. Smaller transistors allow chipmakers to boost performance. The much-anticipated decision, announced last week, was made after debates about the island’s suitability given chronic power shortages over the summer. But the government, mindful of TSMC’s clout in the local economy, has offered strong assurances.