Why AMD wants engineers with knowledge of Intel silicon
AMD wants to hire engineers with experience with Intel’s PowerVia tech
AMD has issued a new job listing for a Physical Design Verification CAD Engineer, and has asked explicitly for candidates who have “knowledge of Power Via”, an Intel technology. This suggests that AMD may make some future chips with Intel silicon inside.
PowerVia is Intel’s backside-power delivery technology, which was first implemented as part of their 18A lithography node. If AMD wants engineers with knowledge of this technology, that means that AMD is, at a minimum, considering Intel Foundry for some future products. In October, there were reports of “early talks” between AMD and Intel that could make AMD an Intel Foundry customer.
Preferred Experience
- Knowledge of Power Via and 3DStack concepts.
- Experience supporting design teams through successful tape-outs.
- Familiarity with layout editing tools such as Design REV and ICVWB.
Will AMD make chips using Intel silicon?
Currently, AMD produces its chips with TSMC, making AMD reliant on TSMC. By using Intel as a secondary partner, AMD could gain leverage in negotiations with TSMC. Furthermore, it would allow AMD to produce more of its chips on US soil. This could be a major benefit for AMD, as the US Government is constantly threatening tariffs on foreign-made semiconductors.
If Intel were to secure AMD as a customer, it would validate Intel’s foundry efforts and prove that Intel has a strong foundry product for 3rd parties. However, it remains to be seen if AMD can trust Intel, its primary rival, to produce its products.
For Intel, the benefits of a deal with AMD are obvious. Getting a large foundry customer is a huge win. This would allow Intel to profit from AMD’s CPUs. Yes, that means that Intel could benefit from all x86 CPU sales, not just their own. Additionally, such a move would make Intel’s Foundry more enticing to other potential customers.
For AMD, the benefits are less tangible. AMD would gain a secondary foundry partner, potentially giving it enough leverage with TSMC to secure lower prices. It could also help AMD politically, as the US Government now owns a stake in Intel. Furthermore, moving some manufacturing onshore would be seen as a good thing by the US Government. Regardless, this move would force AMD to trust its product designs with Intel, its greatest rival. Can AMD trust Intel with its designs?
You can join the discussion on AMD’s potential plan to use Intel Foundry on the OC3D Forums.
