Unofficial information points to what could prove to be the most important contract in recent years for Intel’s chip manufacturing division. The folks at SemiAccurate report that the company will manufacture Maia 2 accelerators for Microsoft, using its 18A or 18A-P process.
Microsoft’s AI processing chips made their debut in 2024, in the form of the Maia 100. The component is manufactured by TSMC, using the 5nm (N5) process, incorporating 64GB of HBM2E memory. The company estimates performance of up to 3 PetaOPS in 6-bit precision tests and up to 1.5 PetaOPS in 9-bit.
If the information on the website is correct, Microsoft seems interested in betting on a cutting-edge manufacturing process for the new generation of Maia, and Intel may have offered a better deal. It’s worth remembering that TSMC’s 2nm process (N2) is famously quite expensive.
Microsoft would be interested in Intel for more generations of Maia
Still according to rumors, the collaboration between Intel and Microsoft to manufacture chips may not stop at Maia 2. Depending on the success of the components, in terms of manufacturing performance and on-time delivery, the owner of Windows may maintain the contract for the production of future generations of its accelerators.
SemiAccurate does not confirm whether Microsoft will use Intel’s 18A process for the Maia 2 or the 18A-P, which is a slightly improved version for performance and efficiency, incorporating RibbonFET and PowerVia technologies.
Read more:
After Maia 2 we may have future chips made in 18A-PT, a new improvement over Intel’s latest lithography, with optimizations for multi-die architectures. If these models are successful, we could see the partnership between the companies reach the 14A process, which will be the next big generational leap in Intel’s component manufacturing technologies.
Intel processors on sale:
Via: TechPowerUp
*The sale of products indicated on this page may generate commission for Adrenaline.
Join the Adrenaline offer group
Check out the main offers on hardware, components and other electronics that we found online. Video card, motherboard, RAM memory and everything you need to build your PC. By joining our group, you receive daily promotions and have early access to discount coupons.
Join the group and take advantage of promotions
Source: https://www.adrenaline.com.br/microsoft/microsoft-vai-fabricar-seus-processadores-maia-2-no-processo-18a-da-intel-rumor/
