# EP 159: MediaTek and the Evolving Custom ASIC Business, More Memory Pain, and More

- Show: [The Circuit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit)
- Published: 2026-04-06
- Length: 54m
- Episode: 162
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-04-06-ep-159-mediatek-and-the-evolving-custom-asic-business-more-memory-pain-and-more
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9764645e

## Summary

Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg analyze MediaTek's strategic shift into the custom ASIC market, highlighting their new aggressive marketing of IP and privileged access to TSMC wafer allocation as key competitive advantages against Broadcom and Marvell. They discuss the persistent memory shortage, noting a disconnect between stock market volatility and the reality of sold-out capacity extending into 2028, driven by HBM demand. The hosts also examine Intel's $14 billion buyback of its Apollo-backed Ireland fab, interpreting it as a move to escape onerous operating metrics rather than just a signal of confidence, while warning of broader supply chain constraints like tungsten and water shortages.

## Chapters

- [0:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-04-06-ep-159-mediatek-and-the-evolving-custom-asic-business-more-memory-pain-and-more#t=5) Introduction and MediaTek's History
- [6:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-04-06-ep-159-mediatek-and-the-evolving-custom-asic-business-more-memory-pain-and-more#t=400) MediaTek's Custom ASIC Strategy and IP
- [14:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-04-06-ep-159-mediatek-and-the-evolving-custom-asic-business-more-memory-pain-and-more#t=874) TSMC Allocation and Business Models
- [26:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-04-06-ep-159-mediatek-and-the-evolving-custom-asic-business-more-memory-pain-and-more#t=1565) Memory Shortages and Market Confusion
- [37:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-04-06-ep-159-mediatek-and-the-evolving-custom-asic-business-more-memory-pain-and-more#t=2244) Supply Chain Constraints: Tungsten and Water
- [45:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2026-04-06-ep-159-mediatek-and-the-evolving-custom-asic-business-more-memory-pain-and-more#t=2724) Intel's Apollo Deal and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- MediaTek (company)
- TSMC (company)
- Broadcom (company)
- Marvell (company)
- Intel (company)
- Apollo (company)
- Brookfield (company)
- Google (company)
- NVIDIA (company)
- Micron (company)
- HBM (product)
- TPU (product)
- Alexa (product)
- Amazon Echo (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [We're Sorry! But Apple Ain't! - Remorseless RAM Racketeering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-09-were-sorry-but-apple-aint-remorseless-ram-racketeering) (The Amp Hour)
- [Chip Shortage Denier](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-05-10-chip-shortage-denier) (The Amp Hour)
- [Bonkers Birthday Badinage](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-06-18-bonkers-birthday-badinage) (The Amp Hour)
- [Intel Memory | ST SiC | Exclusive with Greg Travis on Boeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-04-05-intel-memory-st-sic-exclusive-with-greg-travis-on-boeing) (EE Times Current)
- [Intel CPU |5G Fixed Wireless | AI Silicon Race | SMIC Rift](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-03-29-intel-cpu-5g-fixed-wireless-ai-silicon-race-smic-rift) (EE Times Current)

## Citing this page

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