Nvidia to Start Using Samsung 14nm Process for All Future Gpu's

Nvidia to use Samsung 14nm process of future GPUs

Nvidia has reportedly switched to Samsung's 14nm FinFET process for upcoming chip designs over TSMC's 16nm FinFET process. 

This is a pretty big change as Nvidia has been a long time customer of TSMC and also will be slightly strange move for the company given their recent Lawsuits with Samsung. This proves conclusively that in the world of business there are never truly friends or enemies.

Samsung's 14nm FinFET process node is said to be coming into full production a full quarter ahead of TSMC's 16nm process, meaning that Nvidia's switch should get Nvidia chips on a next-generation process to the market earlier. Right now it is unknown if Nvidia will be manufacturing exclusively with Samsung on 14nm, or if GlabalFoundaries will get some orders on their 14nm process.

  

Sources from Kores Times had this to say;

“The latest agreement between Samsung and Nvidia is another positive factor lifting Samsung’s logic chip business unit. The timing looks good as increased foundry customers justify the Korean chip giant’s moves to find new revenue sources,”

“The Samsung-Nvidia deal means that there is no enemy and friend in businesses,”

Faster time to market seems to be the main reason for Nvidia's move to Samsung's 14nm, but it is also suspected to have slightly better performance characteristics than TSMC's 16nm FinFET process, especially given how Apple has also gone back to Samsung for the production of their SoC's after using TSMC's 20nm proces for their A8 chip.

GlobalFoundries has licensed Samsung's 14nm process, allowing them to be able to make similar chios for Nvidia, but right now it is unknown if Samsung will be working with both foundries.