Intel reportedly defers TSMC N3 orders and delays Arrow Lake launch

Based on Intel's latest public roadmap, the blue team plans to launch the first 3nm-based Arrow Lake products sometime in 2024. However, a recent report suggests that might not be the case anymore, as the company has allegedly asked TSMC to defer its 3nm wafer orders to Q4 2024.

Back in 2021, when Intel announced the IDM 2.0 program, the company changed how it processes chip manufacturing. While most of its processors are still made in their own manufacturing facilities, it has also outsourced some chip production to third parties like TSMC. One of Intel's contracts with TSMC was to produce 3nm wafers for the GPU part of its Arrow Lake products.

The first Arrow Lake chips were slated for Q3 2024, but according to DigiTimes' sources, that may not be the case anymore. Intel's 3nm wafer orders have reportedly been deferred to Q4 2024, most likely pushing the release of the first Arrow Lake products to early 2025.

Intel Arrow Lake may have been delayed, but we're not aware of any change of plans regarding other launches. That means that between now and the release of Arrow Lake, we should still see a Raptor Lake refresh in late 2023 and the Meteor Lake in 2024.

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KitGuru says: Deferring the order may push the release of the first Arrow Lake products. However, there's a chance it will reduce the manufacturing cost of its chips, as demand will be lower by then.

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