Is IBM building a fab for AMD?

Aug 10, 2001
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Semicondcutoir Business News
(05/09/03 02:02 p.m. EST)

Rumors are running rampant that IBM Corp.'s Microelectronics Division is reportedly in the process of building a new, advanced fab for Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

Reports have surfaced that IBM is gutting its so-called Advanced Semiconductor Technology Center (ASTC) in East Fishkill, N.Y., and turning it into a full-fledged 300-mm, sub-100-nm fab. Once the fab is equipped, IBM will reportedly turn the plant over to AMD, sources said. In turn, AMD will make next-generation processors in the fab, they added.

IBM declined to comment, saying it does not discuss rumors.

The companies are no strangers to each other. In January, AMD and IBM entered into an agreement to jointly develop chip-making technologies for use in future high-performance products.

The new processes, developed by AMD and IBM, will be aimed at improving microprocessor performance and reducing power consumption, and will be based on advanced structures and materials such as high-speed silicon-on-insulator (SOI) transistors, copper interconnects and improved "low-k dielectric" insulation. The agreement includes collaboration on 65- and 45-nm and 300-mm wafers (see Jan. 8 story ).


http://www.siliconstrategies.com/story/OEG20030509S0034
 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
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Wow, that's odd. I thought that AMD and IBM's microelectronics division would have hated each other, because the Opteron can be considered as competition for IBM's 64-bit Power PC processors.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,805
6,361
126
I dunno, that would likely mean a buy out or major stake in AMD by IBM. If there's anything to this, it likely would be IBM building a fab in order to supply AMD.