# EP:127 Intel Earnings, Exploring the Possible Scenario of a TSMC Monopoly

- Show: [The Circuit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit)
- Published: 2025-07-28
- Length: 31m
- Episode: 128
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-07-28-ep-127-intel-earnings-exploring-the-possible-scenario-of-a-tsmc-monopoly
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/37fe6d1b

## Summary

Hosts Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg analyze Intel's recent earnings call, focusing on CEO Pat Gelsinger's statement that Intel will not invest in its 14A process without external customer commitments, signaling a potential exit from the foundry business. They discuss the resulting risk of a TSMC monopoly, arguing that rising wafer costs will stifle innovation and force companies like Qualcomm, AMD, and custom ASIC designers to reconsider their roadmaps. The hosts propose a commercial solution where major tech firms collectively invest in Intel to maintain competition and prevent TSMC from controlling pricing and Moore's Law progression.

## Chapters

- [0:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-07-28-ep-127-intel-earnings-exploring-the-possible-scenario-of-a-tsmc-monopoly#t=5) Introduction: Intel's Foundry Uncertainty and TSMC Monopoly
- [2:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-07-28-ep-127-intel-earnings-exploring-the-possible-scenario-of-a-tsmc-monopoly#t=135) Intel's 14A Process and Lack of External Commitments
- [6:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-07-28-ep-127-intel-earnings-exploring-the-possible-scenario-of-a-tsmc-monopoly#t=380) Intel's Indecision and Strategic '5D Chess'
- [9:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-07-28-ep-127-intel-earnings-exploring-the-possible-scenario-of-a-tsmc-monopoly#t=590) Potential Asset Sales to TSMC or GlobalFoundries
- [13:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-07-28-ep-127-intel-earnings-exploring-the-possible-scenario-of-a-tsmc-monopoly#t=819) Commercial Impact of a TSMC Monopoly on Pricing
- [18:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-07-28-ep-127-intel-earnings-exploring-the-possible-scenario-of-a-tsmc-monopoly#t=1129) Geopolitical Risks and Industry Response
- [25:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-07-28-ep-127-intel-earnings-exploring-the-possible-scenario-of-a-tsmc-monopoly#t=1515) Impact on AMD, Custom ASICs, and Heterogeneous Compute
- [29:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-07-28-ep-127-intel-earnings-exploring-the-possible-scenario-of-a-tsmc-monopoly#t=1767) Proposed Commercial Solution: Collective Investment in Intel

## Topics

- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Intel (company)
- TSMC (company)
- NVIDIA (company)
- Qualcomm (company)
- AMD (company)
- GlobalFoundries (company)
- Apple (company)
- Google (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Microsoft (company)
- OpenAI (company)
- Tesla (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Headline: Intel Throws a Curveball | The Book on Gallium Nitride](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-03-26-headline-intel-throws-a-curveball-the-book-on-gallium-nitride) (EE Times Current)
- [Bonkers Birthday Badinage](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-06-18-bonkers-birthday-badinage) (The Amp Hour)
- [The CHIP Act’s Blind Spot | A Lifeline for Intel | I Just Saw a Face](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-07-31-the-chip-acts-blind-spot-a-lifeline-for-intel-i-just-saw-a-face) (EE Times Current)
- [EE Times Weekly Briefing: Friday, February 1, 2019](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-02-02-ee-times-weekly-briefing-friday-february-1-2019) (EE Times Current)
- [Whither Semiconductors? The Wheels on the Bus Go ‘Round and ‘Round](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-07-16-whither-semiconductors-the-wheels-on-the-bus-go-round-and-round) (EE Times Current)

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