TSMC Problems with 40 nm technical process were most frequently mentioned in the scarcity of AMD video chip and in the announcement delay of NVIDIA video chip with fermi architecture. Recently, NVIDIA representatives acknowledged that the situation with the accessibility of 40 nm chips in large quantities hardly will be improved prior to the middle of this year. The release level of suitable 40 nm chips on TSMC reached acceptable values, but the production volumes are as before limited. In this situation NVIDIA can detain conclusion for the market for mass products with fermi architecture to the second or third quarters present year.
According to the commentaries of TSMC first Vice President on the questions OF R & D. In the second-half last year it was possible to solve all problems with the release level of suitable 40 nm chips. In the past block the production of 40 nm chips brought TO TSMC only 4% of gain, but to the end of this year company intends to bring this portion to 20%.
Now TSMC release quarterly 80 thousand silicic plates standard size 300 mm with 40 nm chips, to the end year this quantity must be doubled. Company controls more than 80% of market for contract 40 nm microcircuit production.
The following step for TSMC will become the production of 28 nm chips, which will be mastered on the industrial scales in the second half-year. To the end of 2012 will be mastered the 22 nm technical process in the version for devices with the high energy consumption. Each new technological step requires high expenditures;