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I think the big issues for Intel will be avoiding getting into a vicious circle of uncompetitive performance -> lower margins -> less investment in process /fabs -> uncompetitive performance

In part AMD broke out of this by using TSMC, but Intel relying on (not just using) TSMC would be a huge step.

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I bet there will be enough interest in keeping a top-tier fab facility and expertise on the US soil. If I were DoD, I would be very interested, for instance.

Probably connected:

https://www.extremetech.com/electronics/317329-tsmc-will-ope...

Not sure if it has to be absolutely top-tier for defense purposes though.

You can go with larger nodes and larger power budgets for avionics and other electronic stuff in battlefield machines.

OTOH you'd rather be top-notch in your communication equipment, low-power sensors for reconnaissance, etc. In some areas, having a US-controlled 7 nm fab may matter even for DoD.

Interesting - thanks.

I personally expect those plans to be dropped or cut back relatively soon as Trump leaves office. I don't think the 2024 date for this plan was at all a coincidence. Taiwan is extremely shifty about their semiconductor tech leaving the island. Of course, 5nm would be very outdated by then either way.

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