Thread

1. aurareturn · 1789540438 · focus · HN ↗

   Chip density increase is slowing down. Since N10, density scaling has been 60-80%. N3 to N2 is only 20%. And now N2 to A14 is also only 20%.

   1. osnium123 · 1789562063 · focus · HN ↗

      Is the increase in wafer cost higher than the density increase? If so, that means that the cost per transistor is also going up.

      1. aurareturn · 1789562757 · focus · HN ↗

         It's hard to tell because AI has pushed up costs. IE. Chip fab margins are increasing.

         But generally, I think it's even or increasing $/transistor for each node. I'd guess that A14 would have been 20% more expensive than N2 regardless or AI or not.

         It probably is still worth it because you're also getting 20-30% better power efficiency - which is a big deal for data center chips.

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