Intel Secures Major Contract with Microsoft for 18A Process; Google, NVIDIA, and Others Expected to Follow

Okay, so there’s this buzz about Intel’s new chip thingy — the 18A process, or whatever they’re calling it. Apparently, it’s got all the tech giants turning their heads like they just heard free pizza. The reports are coming out, and — surprise surprise — everyone’s super interested.

So, Intel’s chip biz, it’s been kind of desperate, like waving its hands in the air desperate, to get a breakthrough. It’s not just about the money. No, they want the limelight back from TSMC. Especially because, in the US, TSMC’s been stealing the show ever since that whole thing with Trump. Now, people are thinking TSMC’s US spots are as good as, if not better than, Taiwan’s. Enter Intel with this 18A node. At least, that’s what the grapevine, or rather ChosunBiz, is saying. It looks like Intel’s chatting up NVIDIA, Microsoft, Google — all the big names — about this 18A jazz, maybe because it could be a nifty alternative to TSMC’s N2 process.

Oh, and Intel was all about showing off the 18A at something called Direct Connect 2025. Claimed it’s just about the “most advanced process” made in the US. Big words. They’re saying it can go toe-to-toe with TSMC’s stuff, especially when it comes to cramming transistors or something. And, if you believe the hype, 18A’s supposed to outshine the old Intel 3 node. Seems like Intel’s kind of pulled a rabbit out of a hat with this one, ’cause everyone’s vibing with it.

(Random picture insert here — no clue what that’s about, but it’s there.)

Oh, there’s also a backstory about a shuffle in the Intel leadership. New CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who I guess is shaking things up. Seems like the game plan’s to focus more on how chips are actually designed and wrapped up, rather than just cranking them out. Ditching that whole “IDM 2.0” strategy — whatever that was. More noise about them amping up their consumer side, especially CPUs.

And here’s the kicker: TSMC’s lines are jam-packed right now. So, companies are kind of forced to peek at alternatives. Intel’s sitting there like, “Hey, we’re right here!” Ready to be the Pepsi to TSMC’s Coke — or something. Meanwhile, Samsung’s also in the game, but they’re not really hitting their stride just yet.

Who knew chips could be this dramatic?