You know, the signs have been there. At Computex AMD mentioned having working samples of 7nm chips, meaning things are progressing faster than expected. Much like moving 14nm towards 12nm there, however, is more behind the horizon, and TSMC just made it clear, 5nm wafer and chip fabrication will start in mass production at the end of 2019.
TSMC is going big and is investing 21 Billion (Yeah my head just shook a little) Euros into 5nm production. Meaning, after 7nm, this is the next big ... well, small thing. TSMC also mentioned that they are ramping up 7nm production, once again confirming that the industry is properly on track with 7nm as well. TSMC shared their updates on its plans at a product meeting in Taiwan, DigiTimes
reports.
TSMC will start production of their first 5nm sampling chips in the first half of 2019. By the end of 2019 or the beginning of 2020, mass production will follow. To make all this possible, the company invests around 21.5 billion euros in Fab 18, which is situated at the production facility in the Taiwan Science Park. TSMC wants to use the same facility for, wait for it ... 3nm production.