AMD Respond To Rumors That They Will Be Using IBM Fabs

Following several reports around the internet, we reported yesterday that IBM will be using IBM fabs to help produce their upcoming Trinity APUs. AMD have told xbitlabs that this information is not true, and that in fact IBM have merely given consulting support to Global Foundries. AMD chief executive Rory Read had reported that that IBM are one of AMD's manufacturing partners, helping to solve supply issues with their latest chips. This implied that IBM were helping with the manufacture, and was reported as such.

IBM, Global Foundries, Samsung Electronics and ST Microelectronics work together to develop new semiconductor manufacturing processes, so are often able to build chips for each other if needed. This is not the case with AMD's CPUs and APUs, which are exclusively made by Global Foundries.

Last year, AMD had major supply problems with it's recent chips produced using the 32 nm SOI process. This included products such as Bulldozer and Llano, and forced AMD to update it's contract with Global Foundries, and they have been working hard to boost production. It is believed that the supply problems have now been sorted, so this should no longer be a problem.