Asianometry Intel Should Second-Source Nvidia
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Aug 24, 2025 The discussion dives into Intel's current struggles as its monopoly wanes. It considers the U.S. government's potential financial backing through the CHIPS Act. A bold proposal emerges: Intel could collaborate with Nvidia to rejuvenate its technological edge. The conversation explores how this partnership might spark innovation and reshape the semiconductor industry. Tune in for insight into the fluid dynamics of tech alliances and government intervention!
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Coalition Of The Unwilling
- Forcing big tech to use Intel Foundry will create a "coalition of the unwilling" that accepts orders only under pressure.
- Historical attempts to make large vendors cooperate on chip production failed once market incentives shifted.
Intel's Foundry Challenge
- Intel's foundry readiness is limited because its fabs were optimized for its own x86 CPUs rather than third-party products.
- Converting to a true foundry requires years, new skills, and many mistakes under high customer demands.
Rare Earths Versus Chips
- The host contrasts rare-earths industrial policy with chips, noting rare earths are commodities while chips embed third-party IPs and complex ecosystems.
- MP Materials' DoD deal shows commodity backing works differently than nationalizing complex semiconductor supply chains.