Intel to Start Mass Production of 3nm Chips in Europe This Year

Intel’s efforts to master advanced lithography technologies have traditionally received the most public attention, and since Intel’s 3 process technology can only be called one with a stretch, news of its geographic expansion has been relegated to the background. However, the company will begin mass production of chips using Intel’s 3 process technology in Ireland this year.

Image Source: Intel

As a reminder, during a recent upgrade, Fab 34 in Leixlip, Ireland, acquired the ability to manufacture products using Intel 4 technology, which already involves the use of lithography with ultra-hard ultraviolet radiation (EUV). In addition, Intel attracted third-party investors in the person of Apollo to upgrade and expand the Irish plant, which is now entitled to a certain share of the profits of this production site.

As eeNews notes with reference to the materials of Intel’s annual report, last year mass production of chips using Intel 3 technology was established at a plant in Oregon, and this year it will be launched at a plant in Ireland. The ratio of performance to energy consumption within the framework of the Intel 3 process technology has improved by 18% compared to Intel 4. The company is already producing components of Xeon 6 Scalable processors in the USA using Intel 3 technology.

Formally, after the Irish enterprise of the company masters the Intel 3 process technology, it will become the most advanced offer in the range of capabilities of its contract division in Europe. Whether this will attract new clients to Intel services is a separate question. In general, Intel offers its contract clients Intel 4, Intel 3, Intel 18A technologies, as well as the 12-nm process technology in cooperation with Taiwan’s UMC. Customers also have access to Intel’s 7-nm and 16-nm technologies.