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Intel Foundry demonstrates first Arm-based chip on 18a node

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Re: Intel Foundry demonstrates first Arm-based chip on 18a node

#81
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you referring to 5G radio modems or another chip?

Probably the Intel CPUs in Macbooks before Apple made the push for the M1 - circa the Intel quad core era where their laptop chips had major heat issues... ~2012 IIRC?

I’m not defending Intel here, but those Intel MacBooks never had appropriate thermal design or headroom for the processor’s operating specs.

Re: Intel Foundry demonstrates first Arm-based chip on 18a node

#82
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fujitsu and Nvidia also implement (at least) TSO. https://threedots.ovh/blog/2021/02/cpus-with-sequential-cons...

Denver does it because it was supposed to be an x86 CPU, but they couldn't get an agreement with Intel for patent licensing, so they pivoted into being the first available aarch64 CPU since decode was happening entirely in software.

Well, it has a simple hardware decoder for what would normally be the first stage of the jit.

Re: Intel Foundry demonstrates first Arm-based chip on 18a node

#83
post #76

Someone moved Intel's cheese, and they didn't go after it until it was too late. Nobody is going to be switching their ARM-based chip provider from TSMC or anyone else (with whom they've only just built up enough trust) to even thinking of changing. Without a track record of delivery, intel is just there to be used in leverage with price negotiations with TSMC.

There’s a lot of market for ARM chips. I can totally see the likes of Mediatek giving Intel an explore if the costs are right.

Re: Intel Foundry demonstrates first Arm-based chip on 18a node

#84

It's going to be fun in two years when Intel is golden child again because TSMC has bomb damage and Taiwan is blockaded.

Or perhaps the E-Core team continues their strides and the design side becomes competitive again. AMD used to be uncompetitive after all; tides can change, and I think people are dooming too much. Intel still has a chance.

Part of Intel’s problem is their ‘P Core’ team absolutely sucked for a decade.

Re: Intel Foundry demonstrates first Arm-based chip on 18a node

#85
post #3

Very unlikely to happen but Intel could release an Arm chip with native x86 translation. Arm and AMD IP would be needed but this would be the best chip for Windows

I don't understand what the difference is between "an ARM chip with native x86 translation" and a dual-ISA x86 and ARM chip. And I don't understand why you'd want a dual-ISA x86 and ARM rather than just an x86 chip. You wouldn't get whatever CPU front-end simplicity advantages there are from ARM, since your front-end would get significantly more complex and consume significantly more transistors than with a normal x8…

A chunk of what you'd want (x86 alu flag generation) seems to be an extension that is incompatible with most of the arm architectural licenses which don't allow for custom extensions to user visible space. Apple is special here for reasons that probably aren't replicable.

Re: Intel Foundry demonstrates first Arm-based chip on 18a node

#87
post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They always are the first ones to use the most advanced node by TSMC, the designs probably are only compatible with that particular process. Have not heard of apple using samsung for SoCs.

Apple used Samsung through the A7. Moved to TSMC for the A8.

Sorry for not adding ”in the past decade” at the end of that sentence.

Re: Intel Foundry demonstrates first Arm-based chip on 18a node

#89

Assuming they’re telling the truth, they’ve successfully built one chip from that fab. That’s good, but it doesn’t mean the fab is capable of manufacturing at scale while turning a profit. They need an external customer for the fab so they can iterate and work out the issues. It’s anyone’s guess if someone trusts intel to manufacture on their behalf instead of sticking with an established player. They’re stuck in a c…

> It’s anyone’s guess if someone trusts intel to manufacture on their behalf instead of sticking with an established player.

Intel also designs its own chips. Thus, it's hard for fabless players to buy in without worrying about their IPs being stolen. One of the strengths of TSMC is they only make chips. They don't do anything else. TSMC is highly trusted by its customers.

Re: Intel Foundry demonstrates first Arm-based chip on 18a node

#90

It's going to be fun in two years when Intel is golden child again because TSMC has bomb damage and Taiwan is blockaded.

No one has doubted Intel's tech...its their manufacturing that is the problem. Anyone can make one successful chip from a wafer...making 80%+ yields is an entirely different problem to crack.
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