Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will be the primary production hub for the 0.13-micron graphics chips in 2003 with orders from Nvidia and ATI Technologies. Besides Nvidia’s GeForce FX (NV30), ATI’s new desktop-use RV350 and the notebook-supporting M10 (R300 core) will also be manufactured by the world’s largest foundry next year.
According to sources, Nvidia and ATI are currently estimated to place more than 30,000 and 15,000 wafer orders at TSMC, respectively, every month.
Though deciding to place all its RV280 orders with United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), ATI has continued cooperation with TSMC for its high-end, 0.13-micron products. Recently, the Canadian graphics chip supplier has received samples of its V350 and M10. Judging from the satisfactory results, ATI’s new-generation R400 is expected to be able to make its debut in mid-2003 as planned, company chairman and CEO Ho Kwok-yuen said.
Compared to its major competitor Nvidia, ATI has been less aggressive in moving its chip production towards 0.13-micron geometry. When asked about the progress, Ho said that ATI has already decided to manufacture its RV350 and newer chips on the 0.13-micron process. However, given that shipments of the low-end and medium-range graphics chips are still greater than those of the high-end products, the 0.13-micron chips are expected to account for less than 50% of ATI’s overall output but may contribute more than 50% of revenues in 2003.
Endeavoring to adopt the latest process for new products, Nvidia is planning to apply the 0.13-micron technology to all of its NV30-based chips. Given the production strategy, Huang Jen-hsun, president and CEO of Nvidia, earlier predicted that the 0.13-micron products will account for over 50% of its total output by the end of 2003.
Article translated by Christy Lee and edited by Richard So
