NVIDIA Evaluated Intel's 18A Process but Has Not Committed to Using Intel Foundry

NVIDIA Evaluates Intel Foundry’s 18A Node, Focus Shifts to Future Technologies

According to a recent Reuters report, NVIDIA has explored the possibility of manufacturing its chips using Intel Foundry’s advanced 18A process node. While NVIDIA conducted initial tests with the 18A node, the company has not moved forward with mass production, as confirmed by sources familiar with the matter. NVIDIA declined to comment on the report.

This development should not be interpreted as a setback for Intel Foundry. It is standard industry practice for leading chip designers to assess alternative manufacturing options, especially as they consider expanding beyond established partners like TSMC. Many semiconductor companies routinely evaluate new process nodes from multiple foundries before making long-term commitments.

Intel’s 18A Node: Internal Focus and Future Roadmap

The 18A node currently serves primarily as a platform for Intel’s own products. However, Intel has ambitious plans to expand its foundry business with future iterations such as 18A-P and 18A-PT. These upcoming versions are designed to attract a broader range of external customers and are expected to become key offerings in Intel Foundry’s portfolio.

Looking ahead, Intel’s 14A node is emerging as a pivotal technology for the company’s foundry services. Development is actively underway, with a targeted launch in 2027. Intel is working closely with potential customers during the design phase, allowing partners to evaluate whether the new node aligns with their technical and business requirements. Early feedback from those involved in the process has been positive, with many describing the 14A node as highly competitive in the market.

Intel-NVIDIA Collaboration and the Road to 2027

Starting in 2026, the industry anticipates the gradual rollout of a partnership between Intel and NVIDIA, highlighted by the integration of NVIDIA RTX GPUs within Intel x86 system-on-chips (SoCs). While it remains unclear if this collaboration will extend to foundry services for NVIDIA, the current focus is on delivering innovative products to the market.

As Intel prepares to release the 14A 0.5 Process Design Kit (PDK), more detailed feedback from potential foundry customers is expected. The debut of the 14A node in 2027, alongside the specialized 18A-P and 18A-PT nodes, will be closely watched by the semiconductor industry as Intel aims to strengthen its position as a leading foundry provider.