NVIDIA Corp. announced that it has ceased testing Intel’s 18A advanced chip‑making process, a move that signals a shift in the company’s approach to sourcing next‑generation semiconductor manufacturing. The decision follows a period of evaluation in which NVIDIA assessed whether its AI‑accelerator designs could be fabricated on Intel’s 18A node, which is designed to compete with TSMC’s leading‑edge technology by offering higher transistor density, improved performance, and lower power consumption.
Intel’s 18A process incorporates RibbonFET transistors and a PowerVia backside power‑delivery system, features that are intended to deliver a 20‑30% performance boost over the company’s previous 7 nm process. However, NVIDIA’s testing revealed that the 18A node did not meet the company’s stringent yield and performance targets for its high‑density AI chips. As a result, NVIDIA decided to discontinue further testing and will continue to pursue other foundry partners for its upcoming Blackwell‑era GPUs.
The halt is a setback for Intel’s foundry revival strategy. Market analysts noted that Intel’s stock fell more than 2% in pre‑market trading after the announcement, reflecting concerns that the 18A node may struggle to attract large‑volume customers. For NVIDIA, the decision underscores the company’s rigorous manufacturing standards and its preference for partners that can deliver the performance and yield required for its AI workloads.
Despite the pause on 18A testing, NVIDIA and Intel remain engaged in a broader partnership announced in September 2025. The collaboration includes Intel’s development of custom x86 CPUs for NVIDIA’s AI platforms and the creation of x86 system‑on‑chip solutions that integrate NVIDIA RTX GPU chiplets. NVIDIA has also committed to a $5 billion investment in Intel’s common stock as part of this partnership, indicating that the companies view the relationship as strategically valuable beyond the 18A foundry effort.
The decision to stop testing 18A does not signal a complete disengagement from Intel. Instead, it reflects a strategic realignment of NVIDIA’s manufacturing roadmap, which continues to prioritize U.S.‑based production and partnerships with TSMC for its most advanced AI chips. The move allows NVIDIA to focus resources on scaling its Blackwell architecture while keeping the door open for future collaboration with Intel on other technology fronts.
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