Apple is rumoured to move away from Intel in 2020 with custom chip designs

[WYP]

Can Apple make a desktop-grade CPU that can compete with Intel?



Read more about Apple's rumoured move away from Intel's x86 CPUs in 2020.

 

[NeverBackDown]

I would disagree that Intel has lost the foundry lead. They may not be 18-24months ahead like they used to be but they definitely are still the leaders.

 

[Firedrops]

I'm guessing they'll work with AMD for semi-custom designs, like the Xbos/PS4. Those timelines line up well with planned 7nm Threadripper

 

[Avet]

This will give software developers a lot of headaches.

 

[grec]

Apple's already moved a good portion of their OSX and iOS development tools to cross-compatible APIs(IE- Metal) and relatively abstract languages that can comfortably compile down to either x86 or ARM. Porting an iOS app to the OSX marketplace nowadays is relatively trivial and mostly concerns UI changes.

Obviously, "legacy apps" that require or are built around high performance low level interaction with x86 processors will either need a Windows-on-ARM style translation layer, or just to be rewritten entirely if they want to reach their past performance, BUT I don't think this will be an issue. I expect these changes will only be made to the "Macbook" and/or "Macbook Air" models where most users do relatively light work with web or app like crossplatform software, and the performance of Intel's CPUs trades blows with Apples A10X(And presumably upcoming A11X) due to the constrained TDP.

 

[RobM]

I think whomever is the first to make the next die shrink work will be leader currently Intel but my hopes are on AMD. I doubt Apple have the means to come even close, sure they have the cash but AFAIK they don't have any fabs etc

 

[WYP]

I think whomever is the first to make the next die shrink work will be leader currently Intel but my hopes are on AMD. I doubt Apple have the means to come even close, sure they have the cash but AFAIK they don't have any fabs etc

AMD and Apple don't own foundries. They use space from the likes of TSMC, GlobalFoundries and Samsung.

While Intel are ahead with their 14nm++, 10nm has slowed them WAY down. We have had four CPU generations on 14nm.

7nm from TSMC and 7nm GlobalFoundries should have parity with Intel's 10nm, so yeah, whoever ships a high-volume product first is the winner.

 

[RobM]

I always thought AMD owned GF

 

[AlienALX]

I always thought AMD owned GF

Me too.

 

[WYP]

I always thought AMD owned GF

Me too.

It's a long story, but the company was part of AMD before it was spun off in 2009.

AMD doesn't even have a stake in Globalfoundries anymore, though they do have supply agreements for manufacturing.

 

[RobM]

learn something new everyday

 

[NeverBackDown]

AMD and Apple don't own foundries. They use space from the likes of TSMC, GlobalFoundries and Samsung.

While Intel are ahead with their 14nm++, 10nm has slowed them WAY down. We have had four CPU generations on 14nm.

7nm from TSMC and 7nm GlobalFoundries should have parity with Intel's 10nm, so yeah, whoever ships a high-volume product first is the winner.

There's more to it than just a number. Intel will still be ahead.