TSMC Denies Plans to Enter 3D DRAM Production, Easing Memory Market Worries

At a glance

TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, has pushed back on reports that it will enter production of 3D DRAM, a next-generation memory. The controversy over a possible new competitor in the memory market appears to be settling for now.

Key points

1. 1

   TSMC said its core business is contract chip manufacturing and that it will focus on this business.

2. 2

   One outlet reported that TSMC began drawing up 3D DRAM production plans at Nvidia's request. The specific investment amount and mass production timing have not been confirmed.

3. 3

   3D DRAM is a technology that stacks memory cells vertically inside a chip to raise density. Commercialization is still several years away, and because the processes and designs differ, even TSMC would find it hard to…

4. 4

   TSMC has not directly denied the production request or the internal review, so it is hard to say the possibility of entry has completely disappeared.

Why it matters

As AI servers spread, supply of high-performance memory is running short, which shows that the memory supply chain is becoming more important.

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