Intel 18A Enters Risk Production for Panther Lake

Intel has officially announced that its 18A process node has entered the risk production phase, marking a critical milestone in the company's semiconductor manufacturing roadmap. This phase signifies the commencement of early-stage small-batch testing and production runs, setting the foundation for broader deployment.

The announcement was made by Kevin O'Buckley, Senior Vice President of Intel Foundry Services, during the Intel Vision 2025 event. This milestone comes as Intel approaches the completion of its ambitious "5 Nodes in 4 Years" (5N4Y) initiative, a strategy launched by former CEO Pat Gelsinger aimed at reclaiming leadership in semiconductor manufacturing from competitors like TSMC.

Originally introduced in June 2021, Intel's four-year plan has experienced adjustments, including the cancellation of high-volume manufacturing for the 20A node to reduce costs. However, the company is now on track to achieve its objective with the 18A node. Notably, the success of the 5N4Y initiative is evaluated based on the readiness of process nodes for production, rather than their progression to high-volume manufacturing (HVM).

Kevin O'Buckley stated, "Our clients have confirmed that 'Yes, 18A is sufficient for my product.' Now, we must address the 'risk' aspect—scaling production from hundreds of units per day to thousands, tens of thousands, and eventually hundreds of thousands. Risk production is designed to expand our manufacturing capabilities and ensure that we not only meet technical requirements but also achieve scalable production."

However, risk production presents inherent challenges. As Intel continues to enhance its manufacturing techniques and optimize tools, factors such as yield rates and functional parameters may initially fall below standard targets. Consequently, clients typically leverage risk production to manufacture qualification or engineering samples, without the strict yield guarantees associated with fully qualified HVM nodes.

Intel has not specified whether the 18A risk production is intended for its own Panther Lake processors or external clients. However, the company's first 18A processor, Panther Lake, is expected to enter mass production later this year. It is likely that Panther Lake chips are among the initial products of the risk production phase.