NVIDIA to Lead Adoption of TSMC A16 Process #
NVIDIA is set to become the first customer for TSMC’s A16 process, a major milestone for both companies and a significant shift in NVIDIA’s long-term strategy. Traditionally, NVIDIA has taken a conservative stance toward bleeding-edge nodes, relying on architecture refinements and its CUDA ecosystem to stay competitive. But with the explosive growth of AI and high-performance computing (HPC), the company is accelerating its process roadmap.
According to industry reports, TSMC’s A16 node is expected to enter mass production in 2026 and appear in commercial products by late 2027 or early 2028.
TSMC A16: What’s New #
The A16 process introduces two key innovations:
- Gate-All-Around FET (GAAFET) nanosheet transistors → Enables higher performance density
- Super Power Rail (SPR) / Backside Power Delivery → Boosts power efficiency, reduces resistance and latency
These technologies are tailored for data centers and AI acceleration, making A16 an ideal fit for NVIDIA’s GPU roadmap.
Likely candidates for the first A16 GPUs include:
- Rubin Ultra — NVIDIA’s upcoming high-end GPU architecture
- Feynman GPUs — Expected to feature enhanced storage and interconnect for AI workloads
Why This Move Matters #
For years, Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek have been first in line for TSMC’s advanced nodes, while NVIDIA opted for 7nm and 5nm maturity before transitioning. By choosing A16 first, NVIDIA signals:
- A break from its cautious strategy
- A bet on power efficiency as the key differentiator in AI hardware
- A strategic move to secure supply chain stability and avoid dependency on Intel Foundry Services
Intel’s Competing 14A Process #
NVIDIA’s decision also comes as Intel pushes forward with its own 14A node (expected 2026–2027), which will use:
- RibbonFET transistors (Intel’s GAAFET equivalent)
- PowerVia backside power delivery
While similar in design philosophy to TSMC’s A16, Intel’s IDM 2.0 strategy aims to serve both Intel products and foundry customers, making 14A the flagship node of Intel Foundry Services (IFS).
By committing early to TSMC, NVIDIA ensures it avoids reliance on a direct competitor’s manufacturing pipeline for critical AI GPUs.
Industry Impact: The New Phase of Moore’s Law #
The continuation of Moore’s Law is no longer only about transistor shrinkage. Instead, the focus has shifted to:
- Power efficiency
- Density improvements
- 3D stacking and advanced interconnects
With AMD and Intel aggressively pursuing AI and HPC leadership, NVIDIA can no longer rely solely on CUDA and architecture tweaks. By being first to TSMC A16, NVIDIA strengthens its lead in AI GPUs, setting the stage for a new wave of GPU competition starting around 2027.
Conclusion #
NVIDIA’s early adoption of TSMC’s A16 process represents a strategic inflection point.
✅ First-mover advantage on GAAFET + SPR technology
✅ Aligned with AI/HPC market growth
✅ Secures supply chain independence from Intel
As Rubin Ultra and Feynman GPUs launch on A16 in the late 2020s, the AI hardware race will intensify, reshaping the balance between NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel in data centers worldwide.