Samsung Elec makes a head start in 3nm chipset mass production

[Source: Samsung Electronics Co.]

Samsung Electronics Co. has become the industry’s first to start mass production of 3-nanometer (nm) chipsets based on Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistor architecture, the South Korean chip giant announced Thursday.

The faster migration to the 3nm process enabling higher performance through greater chip density would raise competitiveness against foundry leader TSMC which previously set the second-half for 3-nano application for Intel chips.

Utilizing the 3nm GAA technology, Samsung Electronics will be able to “optimize power usage and performance to meet various customer needs,” said the company in a press release.

The first-generation 3nm process can reduce power consumption by up to 45 percent, improve performance by 23 percent and reduce area by 16 percent compared to 5nm process, according to the company.

The second-generation 3nm process, to be introduced next year, can reduce power consumption by up to 50 percent, improve performance by 30 percent and reduce area by 35 percent, it added.

In addition, its proprietary GAA technology is considered an advancement from the current FinFET chip fabrication process, as it offers improved power efficiency by reducing the supply voltage level, while also enhancing performance by increasing drive current capability, according to Samsung.

[Source: Samsung Electronics Co.]

The Korean chip giant will initially implement 3nm process at its S3 fab in Hwaseong plant on nanosheet transistors with semiconductor chips for high-performance, low-power computing applications. It plans to expand the 3nm application to mobile processors.

“Samsung has grown rapidly as we continue to demonstrate leadership in applying next-generation technologies to manufacturing, such as the foundry industry’s first High-K Metal Gate, FinFET, as well as EUV. We seek to continue this leadership with the world’s first 3nm process with the MBCFET™,” said Dr. Choi Si-young, president and head of Foundry Business at Samsung Electronics.

TSMC is the sole competitor so far matching Samsung Electronics in the nano race as the two vie to draw fabless customers for high-end chips necessary not just for computers and mobiles, but also for smart vehicles and robotics.

As of the first quarter 2022, TSMC occupied the largest 53.6 percent of the global foundry market, and Samsung Electronics 16.3 percent share, according to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce.

Under its roadmap, Samsung Electronics is to embark on GAA-based 2nm process in 2025.

On Thursday, shares of Samsung Electronics closed down 1.72 percent at 57,000 won ($43.91).

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