Thought 7nm AMD Ryzen processors were impressive? 2nm processors may be on the way

(Image credit: AMD)

At this point we all know that AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation processors and Navi graphics cards are built on a 7nm process, and that a 5nm process is on the way soon – but TSMC has just started development on a 2nm process that could be behind the best processors a few years from now. 

This news comes from an announcement made by the Taiwanese manufacturing plant-to-tech outlet Digitimes, but there isn't exactly a wealth of information about the technology available – surprising no one. 

 

Right now, the smallest commercially-available manufacturing process is 7nm, which is found in AMD Ryzen 3000 and 4000 processors, along with AMD Navi and the latest Qualcomm platforms. And, we already know that the AMD Zen 4 platform, slated for launch in 2021, will be shifting to a 5nm architecture

It's way too early to get any kind of information about what 2nm processors will be capable of – or when we'll even see them in readily-available products. But, if the jump from 12nm to 7nm when AMD Zen 2 hit the streets tells us anything, it's that a smaller, more efficient manufacturing process can signify a night-and-day difference overall. 

It will be years before we see this 2nm process enter mass-production, but it still provides an intriguing window into the future of processors. Just a couple years ago we were amazed that 7nm processors were a thing, and from here, we're just excited to see what silicon will look like five years from now. 

Via Tom's Hardware

TOPICS
Bill Thomas

Bill Thomas (Twitter) is TechRadar's computing editor. They are fat, queer and extremely online. Computers are the devil, but they just happen to be a satanist. If you need to know anything about computing components, PC gaming or the best laptop on the market, don't be afraid to drop them a line on Twitter or through email.

Latest in CPU
The main battle pass characters in Fortnite Lawless, including Midas, Sub Zero and a large wolf-man
You'll finally be able to play Fortnite on Windows 11 Arm-powered laptops as Epic Games partners with Qualcomm
Ryzen 9000 promotional material
AMD's most powerful processor ever actually runs better on Windows 10 than Windows 11
An AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D on its retail packaging
I've reviewed three generations of 3D V-cache processors, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the best there is
AMD Ryzen 9000 3D chips
AMD officially announces price and release date for Ryzen 9 9900X3D and 9950X3D processors
A chip wafer manufactured at Intel Foundry
Can 18A save Intel from being devoured by its rivals – and Wall Street?
A stock photo of a man saying 'no thank you' to a gift box bearing the AMD Ryzen logo.
I'm tired of waiting for AMD's entry-level Ryzen 9000 series chips
Latest in News
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough