Intel Taps Samsung for 8nm Nova Lake Z990 Chipset
▼ Summary
– Samsung Foundry has reportedly secured Intel as a client to manufacture its upcoming Platform Controller Hub (PCH) chipsets using Samsung’s 8nm process technology.
– This collaboration continues a long history between the companies, with Samsung currently producing some Intel chipsets on a 14nm process in Texas.
– The move helps Intel diversify its supply chain away from TSMC and could provide benefits in features, power, or thermals compared to its current 14nm chipsets.
– Samsung’s 8nm process, in mass production since 2018, has a stable yield and previously landed a major contract to produce the SoC for Nintendo’s Switch 2 console.
– If accurate, full-scale manufacturing will begin next year, with the premium Z990 chipset likely being the first product from this partnership ahead of Nova Lake’s 2026 launch.
A significant shift appears to be underway in the semiconductor supply chain, with Samsung Foundry reportedly securing a major contract to manufacture Intel’s next-generation Platform Controller Hub (PCH) using its 8nm process technology. This collaboration, if confirmed, would see the production of chipsets for Intel’s upcoming Core Ultra 400S “Nova Lake” processors moving to Samsung’s facilities. The partnership leverages a long-standing relationship between the two tech giants, where Samsung has previously handled production for various Intel components.
Industry reports indicate that the two companies are finalizing plans for mass production. This suggests the future 900-series chipsets, designed for the LGA1954 socket platform, will likely be built on Samsung’s 8nm node. Intel currently uses Samsung’s facility in Austin, Texas, for some chipset manufacturing on a 14nm process. The new production is expected to shift to Samsung’s more advanced Hwaseong plant in South Korea. This strategic diversification move makes considerable sense for Intel, which is actively seeking to reduce its reliance on TSMC amid ongoing industry capacity constraints.
Chipsets do not require the most advanced manufacturing nodes, making the mature and well-understood 8nm process a cost-effective and reliable choice. The shift from 14nm to 8nm should still deliver tangible benefits, potentially including improved power efficiency, thermal performance, or the integration of additional features. This transition could also provide Intel with a marketing edge, as rival AMD’s current 800-series chipsets are still produced on a 14nm process. However, AMD’s own future chipset plans remain unknown and could involve a similar node advancement.
Samsung’s 8nm technology, introduced several years ago, has reached a stage of high yield and stability, attracting several high-profile clients. Notably, the foundry is already producing the custom SoC for Nintendo’s popular Switch 2 console. Securing a deal with Intel, which still commands over 75% of the processor market, represents a substantial win for Samsung’s contract manufacturing business. It demonstrates the foundry’s ability to compete for and fulfill orders from the industry’s largest players.
In terms of capacity, Samsung’s overall output is approximately 350,000 wafers per month. Its 8nm production lines contribute an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 12-inch wafers to that total, representing about 11% of the company’s overall capacity. As Samsung wins more contracts like this one, demand increases for critical upstream components like photomasks, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the semiconductor supply ecosystem.
If these reports are accurate, full-scale manufacturing of the Intel chipsets is slated to begin next year. Intel has publicly stated that its Nova Lake architecture is scheduled for launch in late 2026 or soon after. Following Intel’s typical product release pattern, the premium Z990 chipset is expected to be the first product emerging from this renewed Samsung-Intel collaboration, heralding a new phase in their manufacturing partnership.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware)
