AI Gossip

AI server giant Quanta Computer said AI server shipments this year remain on pace for triple-digit percent growth, while it raised guidance for general purpose server growth to double digit % from flat previously, media report, adding visibility for the AI server business remains high out to 2028. 
-AI servers now account for 75% of total server revenue
-Shipments of high-end AI server racks costing over $3M more than doubled vs Q4
-Shipped 10 million laptops, -8.3% vs Q4 and -7.4% YoY
-Will spend NT$30 billion on new plants/lines (capex) this year.

Quanta is shifting to a consignment model with clients, who will buy their own components, amid rapidly rising parts and materials prices, media report, after its gross profit margin fell to 4.78% in the 1st quarter from 6.33% in Q4, caused partially by costly memory chip purchases. Quanta said Q2 gross margin will increase substantially due to the change. Higher ASIC-server-based shipments will also help. $NVDA $AMZN $GOOGL $META $MSFT #servers #semiconductors

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Source: Dan Nystedt

Taiwan’s 2026 semiconductor industry revenue is expected hit NT$8.45 trillion (US$270.7 billion), up 29.5% year-on-year, the TSIA reports, led by 34.5% growth in chip manufacturing. In the 1st quarter, revenue rose 29.4% to US$61.7 billion (NT$1.926T). Chip manufacturing grew 37.9% to $42.8 billion. $TSM $UMC $ASX #semiconductors #semiconductor Source: Dan Nystedt

IDC argues “this time is different” in the memory chip market, as AI creates “an unprecedented inflection point, with demand materially outpacing supply” led by DRAM revenues rising 177% to US$418.6 billion this year, it said. The AI infrastructure buildout is taking over as the top customer for DRAM and NAND memory chips, replacing consumer devices. Memory chips, therefore, move from being a cyclical commodity with booms and busts controlled by consumer spending, to a market of strategic constraints. IDC sees the overall memory revenues hitting $594.7 billion this year, up from $266 billion last year. $HXSCL $SSNLF $MU #SKhynix #Samsung $005930KS $000660KS #semiconductors #semiconductor Source: Dan Nystedt

TSMC’s advanced manufacturing processes and CoWoS advanced packaging are completely full, a ‘sweet problem’ causing real trouble for the chip giant as reports grow of clients turning to Intel or Samsung because they cannot get enough TSMC capacity, media report. News of Intel winning TSMC orders sent TSMC shares tumbling NT$55 Monday to close at NT$2,235, while over NT$1 trillion in TSMC’s market cap has evaporated since reports surfaced of Apple, other clients talking with Intel. $TSM $INTC $HXSCL #semiconductors #semiconductor Source: Dan Nystedt

Nvidia Vera Rubin-based server racks will start at US$3 million to $7M each, and Big Cloud will pay for fear of losing the AI War, media report, noting deep pockets are a competitive advantage. Server makers used to earn 10% margins when racks cost much less (US$200,000), but no one will pay that on a $3M rack, so gross margins have been seriously diluted. The report cites unnamed supply chain sources. $NVDA $AMZN $GOOGL $META $MSFT #VeraRubin #AIserver Source: Dan Nystedt

TSMC’s revenue in April rose 17.5% year-on-year to NT$410.7 billion (US$12.96 B), the 2nd best month ever, as AI chip orders continued to rise, and despite fears of falling smartphone chip orders.

The all-time high was NT$415.2 billion in March.

TSMC did not provide a US$ figure. The figure is based on its forex guidance for the 2nd quarter. 1/3 $TSM $AAPL $NVDA $AMD $AVGO $QCOM #semiconductors #semiconductorSource: Dan Nystedt

Rumor: Powertech, Taiwan’s 2nd biggest chip packaging firm, bought a factory site from Bridgestone (Taiwan) for NT$5.72 billion (US$180 million) to expand capacity for FOPLP (Fan-out Panel-Level-Packaging) advanced packaging, media report, noting Powertech has denied the rumor. Bridgestone is closing its Taiwan operations, prompting speculation on a buyer, due to heavy demand by chip makers to acquire factories and land for expansion. Powertech bought 1 plant last year and another the year before, while a subsidiary, TeraPower, also bought one. #Powertech #Bridgestone $5108TO $6239TW #semiconductors #semiconductorSource: Dan Nystedt

AMAT QApr 26
- Revenue up 13% q/q & up 11% y/y to $7.91B at 50% GM; QJul26 guide $8.95B (+13% q/q, +23% y/y) at 50.1% GM
- Semi Systems revenue record $5.97B (+19% q/q and +14% y/y)
- Upgrades Semi Equipment business CY26 growth to >30% (vs prior >20%)
- C27 to be a record year for WFESource: Sravan Kundojjala

Will Nvidia H200 chip exports to China be discussed at the Trump-Xi meeting? Taiwan media ask, noting Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang joined the US delegation for the meetings in Beijing. Insiders claim President Trump personally called Jensen Huang to invite him after media reports noted his absence from the group. $NVDA $AMD #semiconductors #semiconductor Source: Dan Nystedt

TSMC is spending over NT$100 billion (US$3.1 billion) to upgrade Fab 15A to 4nm from 28/22nm, and the older equipment will be shipped to its Dresden, Germany fab, media report, adding construction of TSMC’s 1.4nm fab project is in full swing and progressing better than expected. $TSM $ASML $AMAT $LRCX $KLCA $TOELY #semiconductors #semiconductor #Germany Source: Dan Nystedt

Samsung will hold an equipment move-in ceremony at its Taylor, Texas fab on Friday 4/24 as it speeds preparations for 2nm mass production of Tesla AI chips, media report, noting the chip giant inked a US$16.5B deal to manufacture AI5 and AI6 chips for Tesla. Samsung will also produce Nvidia Groq LPUs and Apple image sensors at the fab. $SSNLF $TSLA $NVDA $AAPL $TSM #Samsung #semiconductors Source: Dan Nystedt