Latest on AMD Zen 6 and Intel's Next-Gen Chips
Latest updates on chip news: Insights from the semiconductor sector industry
Gossip around the tech world is abuzz with AMD's upcoming Zen 6 Ryzen series and Intel's Nova Lake-S/U chips. Let's dive into the details!
Zen 6 Ryzen Range on Deck
The leaks are aplenty, suggesting that we might soon be seeing the Zen 6 Ryzen range in action. AIDA64's latest update has added "preliminary support for next-generation AMD desktop, server, and mobile processors." This could potentialy mean the Ryzen 10000 series, if AMD sticks to its traditional naming convention.
Intel's Upcoming Nova Lake-S and LGA 1700 Bartlett Lake-S Chips
Intel isn't faring behind in keeping secrets under wraps. An official leak points towards the company's focus on Nova Lake-S/U and LGA 1700 Bartlett Lake-S chips. Though not a confirmation, it gives us a sneak peek into what Intel might be aiming for in the near future. High-volume manufacturing is speculated to start this year, with sales set to roll out in 2026.
Semiconductor Challenges Facing Chinese Companies
A new ban on the sale and licensing of semiconductor design software to China could pose a major challenge for the country's future semiconductor development. While China allegedly has software for the 7nm process and above, advanced AI processes are still not fully supported, which might hamper China's long-term semiconductor advancement.
TSMC's UAE Expansion Rumors Quashed
Rumors swirling about TSMC planning to build a chip fab in the UAE have been debunked. In a recent shareholder meeting, TSMC's CEO emphasized that such a move wouldn't align with their strategy. He also addressed tariffs and prices, expressing concern about their impact on TSMC's business, but reaffirmed that AI demand remains strong and continues to outpace supply.
Section 301 Exemptions Extended
The U.S. has prolonged tariff exemptions under Section 301, which include graphics cards and motherboards, until at least August 31. This means that the 25% price increase on these components has been sitting in the wings for quite some time. While a recent court ruling has struck down some of President Trump's tariffs, they will remain in effect as the court battle over their legality unfolds.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite Variant in the Works?
Reliable tech source Roland Quandt hints at Qualcomm testing Snapdragon X2 Elite devices with a whopping 64GB of RAM. Additionally, there's speculation that the upcoming Oryon V3 CPU architecture chip will come equipped with 18 cores.
Intel and SoftBank Collaboration for a Stacked DRAM Substitute
Intel and SoftBank have reportedly teamed up to build a stacked DRAM substitute, dubbed Saimemory, based on Intel technology and Japanese patents. Commercialization is targeted before the end of this decade, with SoftBank eyeing priority access to these chips.
Nvidia's Blackwell-Based China Alternative for H20
Reports suggest that Nvidia is developing a new Blackwell-based alternative for its banned H20 chip in China. This B30 chip is rumored to feature multi-GPU scaling capabilities, with some speculating it might utilize NVLink or ConnectX-8 SuperNICs, currently deployed in Nvidia's RTX Pro Blackwell servers.
TSMC in Talks for a Potential UAE Chip Fab
Rumors abound that TSMC is discussing the possibility of establishing a chip fab in the UAE with White House officials and MGX, a state-owned investment firm. If true, the project could mirror the scale of TSMC's Arizona project.
Intel's Possible Arrow Lake S Refresh
Leaks of an Intel W880 motherboard manual hint at a possible refresh for Arrow Lake codenamed "Arrow Lake S." Previously, whispers circled about another generation of Arrow Lake architecture chips, with K and KF variants only. Few details have been revealed besides a 125W TDP. Despite stagnant sales, Arrow Lake CPUs are still a viable option in the booming AI industry.
- The prediction for future investments in technology companies like AMD and Intel could be influenced by the upcoming releases of their Zen 6 Ryzen series and Nova Lake-S/U chips, respectively, as these advancements are expected in the data-and-cloud-computing sector.
- In the realm of finance, China's semiconductor industry might face challenges due to the newly issued ban on the sale and licensing of semiconductor design software, as the country lacks advanced AI process support in its current software suite for semiconductor development.
- The energy consumption of data centers and computers is a concern for businesses as well as industry, as advancements in technology, such as TSMC's potential UAE chip fab, might help address these energy demands by improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing power consumption in semiconductor production processes.
