AMD CEO sees chips from TSMC's US plant costing 5%-20% more • Hacker News Board

Re: AMD CEO sees chips from TSMC's US plant costing 5%-20% more

#11

Post by dangus » Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 2:11 PM UTC

gtirloni wrote: post #9

Aren't they shipping the chips back to Taiwan for packaging anyway?

Even if they are, it’s a positive.

It is potentially worth pointing out that container ships going back to Asia are basically empty, so that return shipping trip is basically free.

Re: AMD CEO sees chips from TSMC's US plant costing 5%-20% more

#12

Post by dhruvmittal » Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 2:13 PM UTC

Honestly I thought they might be even more expensive than this 5%-20%, it's good to see that it's not a 100% more expensive. While it seems we've learned some lessons about supply chain resiliency, I'm sure there's a number that puts the brakes on this thing.

Re: AMD CEO sees chips from TSMC's US plant costing 5%-20% more

#13

Post by RUnconcerned » Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 2:13 PM UTC

dangus wrote: post #11

gtirloni wrote: post #9

Aren't they shipping the chips back to Taiwan for packaging anyway?

Even if they are, it’s a positive. It is potentially worth pointing out that container ships going back to Asia are basically empty, so that return shipping trip is basically free.

Shipping the chips back to Taiwan to be packaged so they can then be shipped back to the United States for sale is a positive? What are you talking about?

Re: AMD CEO sees chips from TSMC's US plant costing 5%-20% more

#14

Post by 3836293648 » Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 2:14 PM UTC

That's quick. Didn't they only start building that factory two or three years ago?

Re: AMD CEO sees chips from TSMC's US plant costing 5%-20% more

#15

Post by cm2012 » Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 2:16 PM UTC

RUnconcerned wrote: post #13

dangus wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even if they are, it’s a positive. It is potentially worth pointing out that container ships going back to Asia are basically empty, so that return shipping trip is basically free.

Shipping the chips back to Taiwan to be packaged so they can then be shipped back to the United States for sale is a positive? What are you talking about?

Ocean shipping is very very cheap. Less cost in money and energy to ship a chip across the ocean than for you to drive to best buy to buy the phone its in.

Re: AMD CEO sees chips from TSMC's US plant costing 5%-20% more

#16

Post by sct202 » Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 2:16 PM UTC

gtirloni wrote: post #9

Aren't they shipping the chips back to Taiwan for packaging anyway?

Amkor is building a test and packaging facility in Arizona now, so there will eventually be domestic options.

Re: AMD CEO sees chips from TSMC's US plant costing 5%-20% more

#17

Post by reliabilityguy » Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 2:17 PM UTC

Discussion from yesterday: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44663074

Re: AMD CEO sees chips from TSMC's US plant costing 5%-20% more

#18

Post by AnimalMuppet » Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 2:17 PM UTC

RUnconcerned wrote: post #13

dangus wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even if they are, it’s a positive. It is potentially worth pointing out that container ships going back to Asia are basically empty, so that return shipping trip is basically free.

Shipping the chips back to Taiwan to be packaged so they can then be shipped back to the United States for sale is a positive? What are you talking about?

It's better (for the US) than if they're made elsewhere, packaged elsewhere, then sold here.

Re: AMD CEO sees chips from TSMC's US plant costing 5%-20% more

#19

Post by cheschire » Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 2:17 PM UTC

cm2012 wrote: post #15

RUnconcerned wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shipping the chips back to Taiwan to be packaged so they can then be shipped back to the United States for sale is a positive? What are you talking about?

Ocean shipping is very very cheap. Less cost in money and energy to ship a chip across the ocean than for you to drive to best buy to buy the phone its in.

Significantly more pollution though, right?

Re: AMD CEO sees chips from TSMC's US plant costing 5%-20% more

#20

Post by KeplerBoy » Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 2:17 PM UTC

dangus wrote: post #11

gtirloni wrote: post #9

Aren't they shipping the chips back to Taiwan for packaging anyway?

Even if they are, it’s a positive. It is potentially worth pointing out that container ships going back to Asia are basically empty, so that return shipping trip is basically free.

I wonder if chips are literally shipped or just flown.

The extra transport cost might not matter for these precious chips. A tray full of Epyc or Blackwell dies is an insane number of potential revenue per kg.