NVIDIA and TSMC to reveal 0.13-micron progress on December 16

DigiTimes reports Nvidia and TSMC to reveal 0.13-micron progress on December 16

Graphics chip designer Nvidia and its foundry partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) are set to hold a joint news conference in Taipei on December 16, at which Nvidia will showcase its latest GeForce FX (NV30) chips while TSMC will demonstrate its advanced 0.13-micron processing technology.As Nvidia starts adopting the 0.13-micron process, its major rival ATI Technologies has also prepared to move toward 0.13-micron production. According to sources, ATI chairman and CEO Ho Kwok-yuen recently made a quiet visit to TSMC to evaluate the new process, and the company is planning to begin volume production of its first 0.13-micron RV350 chip by the end of this month.

With Nvidia insisting on manufacturing its top-end NV30 chips on the advanced 0.13-micron process, the delayed launch of the product has caused various rumors, including rumors of a problem in TSMC’s 0.13-micron process and of Nvidia’s intention to shift orders to IBM. As a result, the joint news conference next Monday is also regarded as a symbolic gesture showing that the close relationship between the two companies remains unchanged. According to sources, Nvidia president and CEO Huang Jen-hsun and TSMC chairman Morris Chang will both be present.