The TSMC plant in Arizona has officially begun production of AMD’s Ryzen 9000 “Granite Ridge” processors, marking a significant milestone in the Taiwanese company’s expansion outside its home territory. According to recent reports, this facility is also manufacturing chips for other key tech companies like Apple and NVIDIA, reinforcing the plant’s importance to the U.S. semiconductor industry.
Mass production with cutting-edge technology
The Arizona plant is utilizing TSMC’s 4nm (N4) manufacturing process, recognized for its efficiency and ability to enhance performance per watt. Among the initial orders are the SoCAn SoC, short for Security Operations Center (…) Apple S9 chips, used in the Apple Watch Series 9, as well as AMD’s Ryzen 9000 processors based on the Zen 5 architecture. NVIDIA is also leveraging this node for some of its products, although specific details regarding its involvement at this facility have not been fully disclosed.
Ryzen 9000: a story of high expectations and adjustments
AMD launched its Ryzen 9000 CPUs in 2024 with the promise of a 16% increase in IPC (Instructions per Cycle) compared to the previous generation. However, initial reviews showed modest overall performance improvements, with increases ranging from 5% to 10% in certain cases, while prices were significantly higher. This led to slow initial adoption and price adjustments to incentivize sales.
The situation changed with the release of the Ryzen 9000X3D models, which achieved notable success among gamers due to their superior gaming performance. These processors helped AMD reclaim its crown in gaming and reignited interest in the Ryzen 9000 series, boosting production demand.
Apple and NVIDIA join the Arizona plant
In addition to AMD, Apple has tasked TSMC with manufacturing the S9 SoC using the N4 process, highlighting Cupertino’s confidence in TSMC’s ability to meet its stringent quality standards. NVIDIA, for its part, is utilizing advanced 4nm nodes for some of its GPUs, although it is unclear whether all its production in this node will come from the Arizona plant.
The commencement of the P1A phase at the plant has enabled an initial production capacity of 10,000 wafers per month, which includes orders from these three companies and other clients. However, the next phase, P1B, will face delays due to equipment shortages, although it remains on track for completion in the first quarter of 2025.
Impact on the U.S. semiconductor industry
The TSMC plant in Arizona represents a significant advancement in semiconductor production on U.S. soil. This expansion not only strengthens the local supply chain but also helps reduce the United States’ dependence on factories in Asia, especially in the context of geopolitical tensions.
With clients like AMD, Apple, and NVIDIA relying on this facility, TSMC is positioned to play a crucial role in the future of the semiconductor industry in the country. Additionally, this move reaffirms the commitment of AMD and other tech companies to innovation and sustainability, leveraging advanced manufacturing processes and strategic proximity in their operations.
Future outlook
The increase in production capacity at the Arizona plant has significant implications for the global competitiveness of the U.S. semiconductor industry. As TSMC expands its operations and other tech giants turn to this facility, the positive impact is expected to translate into greater innovation, product availability, and strengthening of the local economy.
The start of production of the Ryzen 9000 “Granite Ridge” and other high-performance chips is just the beginning of what promises to be a paradigm shift in semiconductor manufacturing in the West.
References: wccftech and el chapuzas informático