Globalfoundries can start as AMD foundry GPU and host processor

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Globalfoundries (Glofonte, GF for short) is a company separated from AMD's original fab business. It is the richest oil company in the Middle East and the second largest foundry company in the world after TSMC. However, for AMD, GF is a partner that is inseparable but a little helpless. GF ​​has been plagued by OEM production, and AMD is deeply hurt. But now that GF has become more reliable recently, AMD officially confirmed that GF can not only manufacture CPU and APU products for them, but also OEM GPUs and host processors.

Traditionally, AMD's CPU and APU were handed over to GF foundry. FX and current APU use 32nm SOI and 28nm SHP respectively, while GPU and host processors are handed over to TSMC's 28nm process. The situation has changed. AMD CFO Devinder Kumar said at the Credit Suisse 18th Annual Technical Conference that GF and AMD's foundry business has expanded to AMD's full line of products, not just the previous CPU and APU foundry, now also includes GPUs for graphics cards and semi-custom processors for PS4/Xbox One consoles.

Kumar said that “the implementation capability of Globalfoundries has been significantly improved, which will help enhance the cooperation between the two parties. In 2014, the two sides realized the historic partnership of PC products for the first time. This year we built graphics and PCs at the Globalfoundries fab. And semi-custom products, this cooperation will continue in 2015."

AMD did not disclose what products GF Company has OEM for them. In the product lines of CPU, APU, GPU and host processor, CPU and APU have always been GF foundry. There is nothing to say, the host processor has PS4 and Xbox One, which part of GF foundry is also uncertain, as for graphics products, it is even more fascinating. AMD has more GPU types. Although both TSMC and GF have 28nm process, traditionally GPU and CPU production processes are Different, suitable for the CPU may not be suitable for the GPU.

Perhaps Globalfoundries is really reliable. AMD's Carrizo APU will also use GF's 28nm SHP process, but the two companies have worked together to optimize the process, so that Carrizo's transistor density and energy efficiency have been greatly improved without the process upgrade.