Shockingly, a counterfeit factory has produced a 3-nanometer chip.

Chapter 541 Competitors: How Should We Choose?

"I cried. Now we don't have to be at ASMIL's mercy anymore. We can build high-end lithography machines too."

"Previously, we only led in production; we were still lagging behind in equipment, but now..."

We are now on the same starting line.

"Sound transmission is indeed an exception; that requires quadruple exposure, which is an incredibly difficult technique."

But do you really think we're all starting from the same point?

"What do you mean? The equipment is right there, and you're still defending your master?"

"That's not what I meant. What I meant was that the equipment is already on display, and we can use it next year. Do you still consider this a new order...?"

"That makes sense. I wonder if Asmail is panicking."

"What other technology are you hiding? You're exaggerating too much."

Let me explain to you bumpkins: immersion DUV's single-exposure capability is only 36nm, and a double-exposure method can't possibly reach 14nm. This is purely a scam to fool idiots.

"Exactly, I guess they're starting to hype up the war situation again, right?"

"But selling such advanced technology so openly, without any attempt at concealment, is incredibly ostentatious. Aren't they afraid of technology leaks?"

"Haven't they explained it to you idiots yet? The ones that offer delivery aren't necessarily the most advanced..."

"Didn't Professor Chen's demeanor during the interview make it clear to you? Developing one generation, using one generation, delivering one generation... Wang Kexin might already have EUV."

Amid such discussions, everyone's expectations for domestically produced lithography machines are getting higher and higher. However, everyone knows one thing in common: the lithography machine industry is about to undergo a major transformation.

Meanwhile, in Seoul, South Korea, at the headquarters of Samson Electronics.

In the semiconductor division, the newly appointed president, Park Jung-kyung, is leading his engineers in a thorough study of Chinese technology.

At this moment, the technical lead was still nodding repeatedly while watching the video.

From a technical standpoint, their logic is sound.

Immersion processing combined with optimized secondary exposure theoretically could indeed reach the 14nm threshold, but the yield rate... is hard to say.

"Yield rate?" The VP of Operations next to him cursed angrily, his eyes filled with gloom. "You've forgotten what happened three years ago."

That American company claimed to have a new generation of technology, and we believed them, investing over a billion dollars to upgrade our production lines. And what was the result?

With a yield rate of less than 30%, three production lines were destroyed, resulting in huge losses.

"Let alone three years ago, just the recent infiltration attempt by Transmission resulted in the complete loss of five lines of communication..."

My advice is to buy the equipment, but not their double exposure technology.

Upon hearing this, the others nodded in agreement, as these two experiences had been too disheartening.

Especially recently, the previous person in charge was fed fish.

Everyone involved in the project had their year-end bonuses deducted.

Therefore, all those who survived gave up the idea of ​​overtaking on a curve.

After all, if they do it again, let alone production capacity, it will be a question whether third-party semiconductors can even survive.

"This time is different."

Park Jung-kyung rejected everyone's ideas outright.

"I've heard about the problem from last time; after all, that was stolen technology."

But this is a national-level project announced by China's official television station, so it can't be fake.

They have no reason to lie about something like this.

"But there's this old man on the boss's side who often talks nonsense on TV; he's a representative of their military..."

Therefore, you absolutely cannot believe anything they say when they show their faces in public.

Upon hearing this, the others in the room nodded frantically, after all, they had experienced the power of the Strategic Deception Bureau firsthand.

When asked, they knew nothing; when told, they understood nothing; but when tested, they revealed everything.

"Don't worry this time, they won't try to fool you on this," he insisted.

It wasn't just because of CCTV; after all, the last lithography machine was quite effective...

"More importantly, once we purchase MStar's lithography machines, ASML will lower its prices, so we have to take them no matter what."

The vice president nodded in agreement, indicating he was not prepared to voice any objections.

After all, ASML was really ruthless last time; they lowered the price of regular DUV lithography machines, but raised the price of high-end immersion DUV machines by 30%...

Moreover, in order to increase prices even further, they proactively reduced some production capacity.

Sansan hadn't received many units to begin with, and since ASML cut production capacity, the situation has become even worse.

"I also support President Park's idea. If this lithography machine can really stably mass-produce 14nm, it will be a step forward for us."

This will significantly help us in developing 12nm and 10nm processes...

"But what if the Americans find out we're buying this kind of advanced stuff? Won't they put pressure on us?"

The others then became nodding machines, nodding frantically.

After all, America is their father. They almost got involved in the purchase of MStar 14A before. If they can't explain it well this time, they'll really be in trouble.

"Pressure? When Asmail wasn't supplying us with enough goods, why didn't he take action?"

It's just business; only a fool wouldn't make money if it's available.

Moreover, this is also a good thing for our shareholders, allowing them to accomplish more with less money. I believe they will help us navigate this situation.

Everyone in the conference room transformed into a strategist.

After all, buying coffin-making machines from China can indeed save a lot of costs, which is a huge benefit for them...

Those handsome gentlemen behind the scenes probably wouldn't turn down money.

Most importantly, this is a dead end; if you don't choose it, you're not far from death.

After all, Huaxin International is also eager to make moves. No matter how far the rumors go, if Huaxin International enters the 14nm process, it will be a very bad thing for them.

"Now everyone understands that China's technology is in an absolutely leading position, and we have no choice but to obey."

Even some engineers who usually defied everyone lowered their heads upon hearing this.

Ultimately, it's their technology that's lacking.

As for whether Park Jung-kyung was lying, in everyone's mind, this was probably the most serious he had ever been. After all... he could lie at any time, but not in this respect.

"What if... we get scammed?" Some people were still worried.

"I'll accept it even if I'm cheated."

Park Jung-kyung said.

"This is our only chance to catch up with TSMC, and it's worth the gamble."

He didn't even mention it, after all, there was no need to compare himself with the big shots, it would only cause unnecessary trouble.

Meanwhile, at TSMC headquarters, engineers were also considering purchasing new lithography machines.

But Wei Zhejia looked at the press release in his hand with a sense of fear.

After all, China has developed too fast. If TSMC was still qualified to talk to the higher-ups last time...

But now that they can look at them with respect, it's a good thing for TSMC.

But how should TSMC choose?