[News] Intel Rumored to Explore Foundry Deal with Archrival AMD Amid Big Tech Backing

After securing fresh backing from U.S. government and tech giants like NVIDIA and SoftBank, Intel is now eager to stabilize its foundry business by locking in external customers. According to Semafor, the company is in preliminary talks with AMD—once its fiercest rival in the PC and server chip wars—about producing chips on Intel’s lines.

As CNBC highlights, if AMD were to tap Intel for chip production, it would mark a major boost for Team Blue’s foundry push. Notably, the report suggests that such a deal would also carry symbolic weight: AMD, a fierce competitor in x86 chips for PCs and servers, entrusting manufacturing to its biggest rival. Currently, AMD relies heavily on TSMC for the bulk of its chip production.

Though the Semafor report did not elaborate on how much manufacturing AMD would do with Intel, Reuters reported in March that NVIDIA and Broadcom were testing Intel’s most advanced node, 18A, while AMD was weighing whether the technology fits its needs.

AMD isn’t the only name catching Intel’s eye. Bloomberg reported in late September that the company has reached out to Apple to explore potential investments and ways to deepen collaboration. The talks are described as early-stage and may not lead to a deal.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported that Intel has also reached out to TSMC—both a foundry rival and a manufacturing partner—about potential investments or production partnerships. However, as per Focus Taiwan, TSMC clarified that no discussions about investments or partnerships have taken place, despite circulating rumors that the struggling chipmaker is seeking TSMC’s involvement.

Read more

• [News] Intel Reportedly Explores TSMC Investment, Raising Fears of Tech Outflow
• [News] Intel Reportedly Explores Investment Talks With Apple, Foundry Seen as Key

(Photo credit: Intel)