AMD Considers Dual-Foundry Model for Ryzen 7040 Series to Compete with Intel's 13th-Gen Core-i Processors

Reports suggest that AMD is making adjustments to the design of its Ryzen 7040 series, code-named Phoenix, to accommodate Samsung's 4nm process. The chip was delayed from April to May, causing TSMC's 4nm chip production line to operate at full capacity to fulfill orders that were not allocated on time. As Phoenix has experienced multiple delays, AMD is now left with only the Ryzen 7045 series, Dragon Range, based on 5nm+6nm, and the mainstream and ultra-portable Ryzen 7035 series, Rembrandt-R, based on 6nm, which may not be competitive with Intel's Raptor Lake-U and Raptor Lake-P.

To compete with Intel's 13th Gen Core-i processors, AMD may follow the example of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, which uses dual-foundry production. In addition to choosing TSMC for foundry services, AMD may also allocate some orders to Samsung to increase supply stability and improve bargaining power for future orders.

In recent years, Samsung has fallen behind TSMC in foundry services. It has encountered various issues, such as a stable yield rate, which has caused major clients such as Nvidia and Qualcomm to turn to competitors for new orders of high-end chips. However, Samsung has made progress in its 4nm process, which has sparked interest from chip design companies and increased the possibility of cooperation.

The Google Tensor G3 chip is currently using Samsung's 4nm (4LPP) process, while Samsung's Exynos 2400 uses a more advanced 4LPP+ process. If AMD places orders with Samsung, it may use Samsung's 4LPP+ process, which can further improve the chip's power consumption. In addition, rumors suggest that as Samsung's 3nm process yield rate improves and TSMC's 3nm foundry prices remain high, Qualcomm may allocate some of its Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 orders to Samsung's 3nm foundry in 2024. However, the official version of Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will still use TSMC's N3E process, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy customized by Qualcomm for Samsung's Galaxy S25 series will use Samsung's 3nm process.

This information is relevant to electronic components distributors who may be interested in purchasing and selling chips based on Samsung's foundry services. It highlights AMD's strategy for competing with Intel and Qualcomm and the potential benefits and drawbacks of working with Samsung.