AMD has strengthened its partnership with GlobalFoundaries – their longtime wafer supplier – with an updated agreement that will last them until the end of the decade. The new deal allows AMD a little bit of independence from GlobalFoundaries, but at a cost. AMD will hand over US%100 million to GlobalFoundries and will allow its parent company rights to purchase 75 million shares of AMD common stock at US$5.98 per share.
What’s really interesting is that a statement from AMD states that it will be collaborating with GlobalFoundaries on the 7nm node, but not the 10nm node. They could use the little bit of independence the new deal gave them to find a 3rd party for that particular process, but in all likelihood, it will mean skipping it entirely.
This could mean Cannonlake’s competitor could be a lot more power efficient. Will AMD finally regain the edge?
