Intel announces massive shift in processor strategy, including making chips for other companies
One month after becoming Intel’s CEO, Pat Gelsinger announced some major changes.
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What you need to know
Intel annnouncedmassive changes in its “Intel Unleashed: Engineering the Future” webcast yesterday.New Intel CEO Pat Gelsingerannounced plans for Intel to produce processors for other companies. Gelsinger also announced a planned $20 billion investment into two new fabs in Arizona. The CEO also specified that the designs for Intel’s 7nm Meteor Lake processors should be set in the second quarter of 2021.
Gelsinger’s outlined changes are part of his IDM 2.0 vision. There are three components of this vision; Intel’s in-house manufacturing, Intel using third-party foundries for manufacturing, and the company’s new Intel Foundry Services that will produce chips for other companies. These moves should help Intel diversify its efforts as the competition to create thebest processorsheats up.
Here is Intel’s summary of the core components of IDM 2.0:
The final component, the new Intel Foundry Services, is making headlines. It is a standalone business unit and will make processors for other companies. That’s a major shift for Intel that could see the company making chips for some of its biggest rivals. The unit will produce ARM, x86, and RISC-V core chips for other companies.
As part of the first component, Intel’s own manufacturing efforts, the company plans to build two new fabs in Arizona that will be part of its Ocotillo campus.
Intel also announced plans for a research collaboration with IBM. These joint efforts will focus on creating next-gen logic and packaging technologies.
Intel also announced an event series called “Intel On,” which is a series in the spirit of the popular Intel Developer Forum event.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
