TSMC confirms 3nm chip production in Taiwan

TSMC says its 3nm process has entered volume production in Taiwan, a manufacturing milestone it announced on 29 December 2022.

The company held a ceremony at Fab 18 in the Southern Taiwan Science Park, which makes both 5nm and 3nm chips. It also marked the topping out of the site’s Phase 8 building.

TSMC reported good yields but did not give a percentage. Its statement confirms production was underway, without specifying the first production day.

Against its 5nm N5 process, TSMC claims up to 1.6 times the logic density and 30–35% lower power consumption at the same speed.

An earlier revenue snapshot

In its 13 October earnings release, TSMC reported that 5nm generated 28% of third-quarter wafer revenue and 7nm contributed 26%. Together, those processes accounted for 54%.

Wafer revenue: 5nm 28%, 7nm 26%, other processes 46%. — Quarter ended 30 September 2022, before the 3nm production announcement.

The figures describe wafer sales by process in a completed quarter. They do not measure manufacturing capacity or establish the revenue contribution of 3nm.