Samsung plans to provide more details on VLSI technology and circuits and the SF4X process at Symposium 2023. SF4X is intended for computing applications that require high-performance computing (HPC). Formerly known as 4HPC, this technology will not only offer more frequency and performance; It will also support voltage increase.
SF4X will be 23% more efficient in energy consumption and its performance will be improved by 10%. Although Samsung didn’t mention the reference for these comparisons, it likely scaled the SF4 process. Improving performance and saving energy is the result of evaluating and redesigning the source, transistor discharge system in intensive working conditions, etc.
SFX will compete with TSMC’s N4P and N4X processes. These two processes will be launched in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Currently, it is impossible to determine which technology will provide the best combination of performance, processing power, transistor density, power consumption, and cost.
TomsHardware He writes that data center processors and graphics processors, which require a lot of processing power, are designed to handle heavy workloads. Thus, more advanced chipmaking processes such as SF4X can significantly improve the performance and efficiency of CPUs and GPUs.
Apart from excellent performance, energy efficiency is also very important in these processes. SF4X’s 23% reduction in energy consumption compared to the previous generation of this technology can significantly reduce costs and reduce environmental impacts over time.
SF4X is Samsung’s first modern process developed specifically for HPC applications, indicating that the Korean tech giant anticipates sufficient market demand for the technology. Considering that HPC like 5G and AI is such a big industry, Samsung expects at least some of its current 150 customers to use SF4X technology.
