IBM has signed an agreement with Samsung to produce its next-generation processors. These include processors for IBM Power Systems, IBM Z and LinuxONE, all with Samsung’s 7nm manufacturing process using ultra ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. The decision comes as no surprise as GlobalFoundries, IBM’s manufacturing partner for CPUs, has decided to stop developing 7nm and more advanced technologies.
IBM relies on Samsung and its 7 nm EUV nodes
The manufacturing agreement between IBM and Globalfroundies ends this month and IBM has quickly found a solution in Samsung for the future of its chips.
IBM and Samsung have worked together for 15 years to research and develop various materials and technologies for semiconductor manufacturing within the IBM Research Alliance. Because Samsung and GlobalFoundries’ manufacturing processes are based on in-house research and development and are part of the IBM Research Alliance, IBM developers know what they can expect from these technologies.
IBM said that under the current agreement, the two companies will expand and enhance the strategic partnership, but not worked out whether this means the development of a customized version of the 7LPP manufacturing process used by the Korean company.
IBM has traditionally used custom manufacturing processes to develop its IBM POWER processors for IBM Z servers and mainframe CPUs. IBM chips combine a high number of cores and complexity with very high frequencies, which is why the company needed an individual process technologies that only Samsung can currently provide.