“Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)’s advanced processes (90nm to 65nm) capacity is being fueled by both AMD and Nvidia from August as both graphics chips makers are seeing their supply fall short of demand, according to sources at graphics card makers in Taiwan.AMD declined to comment while Nvidia said some of its partners are observing strained supply on stronger-than-expected demand.
AMD’s ATI Radeon HD 2000 series are in tight supply, the sources said. The company is now reserving shipments to give priority to its major customers including Sapphire, HIS, etc.
Nvidia’s GeForce 8000 series are in severely tight supply currently with shipments priority being given to key customers including Asustek Computer, Gigabyte Technology, Micro-Star International (MSI) and Zotac, the sources noted.
Given that these customers at Nvidia have already piled up sufficient stock prior to the approaching seasonal upturn, they are expected to still able to meet demand, the sources added.
Nvidia’s high-end G80 chip is being fabricated on 80nm while its G84 and G86 chips are fabbed on 90nm. AMD’s most recent family of chips is all fabricated on 65nm.
On a separate note, the sources indicated that Nvidia plans to roll out the new G92 and G98 graphics cores in the fourth quarter of 2007 in attempts to grow penetration of its 65nm-made product lineup. These upcoming chips are also said to be fabricated at TSMC.
Following publication, AMD has contacted Digitimes to say that its ATI Radeon HD 2400 and 2600 series graphics chips are currently shipping in volume with its partners.”
Here is some more Tech News from around the web:
- AMD VP Henri Richard resigns @ HEXUS
- Besides money, AMD is hemorrhaging employees as well @ Hardware Analysis
- U of CA Constructs 220 Million Pixel Display @ Slashdot
- Nouveau Companion 26 @ Phoronix
- Full HD: Hip or Hype? @ Digital Trends
- How to Perform a System Restore on Windows XP Guide @ TechwareLabs
- Windows Vista ReadyBoost: Does it Make a Difference? @ PC Stats
AMD, nVIDIA and TSMC in a three way
It seems that the influx of cash and partnerships from AMD and nVIDIA are helping TSMC move their chips faster than they can make them. Currently both AMD and nVIDIA use TSMC produced chips on their graphics cards and both are seeing a decline in the amount available. DigiTimes spoke with both companies to see what plans the two graphics manufacturers have. It’s good to hear the HD 2×00 series is selling units, especially with the departure of their Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Henri Richard.