Semiconductor Industry Factors

[bravacentauri83]

I need some help with an analysis I'm doing about the semiconductor industry. Just wanted to see if the info I've collected so far makes sense with what you all believe.

What have been some of the overall factors in the Semiconductor industry for the past five years? What are also some industry issues facing semiconductor manufacturers?

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: bravacentauri83
I need some help with an analysis I'm doing about the semiconductor industry. Just wanted to see if the info I've collected so far makes sense with what you all believe.

What have been some of the overall factors in the Semiconductor industry for the past five years? What are also some industry issues facing semiconductor manufacturers?

Posting some of the info you have might get the discussion really going.

 

[bravacentauri83]

For industry issues, I'm assuming that the raw materials needed would become scarce or increase in price. Changes in technology could cause manufacturers to "re-tool" the manufacturing plants and/or spend more in capital construction to increase or sustain production. The economy could also play into effect as consumers may not buy as many products that require computer chips or the price becomes too high that people don't need a "luxury good."

Not quite sure what to think of the past five years of industry factors other than the current technology allows manufacturers to increase volume production of units (i.e.: Intel going from 90nm to 65nm to 45nm). That and more electronics like smart phones are using inputs created by semiconductor manufacturers.

Forgot to add: My analysis is going to be on mainly Intel and using AMD/TI as close competitors. I'm doing the preliminary industry stuff first.

 

[JohnCU]

do your own homework

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: bravacentauri83
For industry issues, I'm assuming that the raw materials needed would become scarce or increase in price. Changes in technology could cause manufacturers to "re-tool" the manufacturing plants and/or spend more in capital construction to increase or sustain production. The economy could also play into effect as consumers may not buy as many products that require computer chips or the price becomes too high that people don't need a "luxury good."

Not quite sure what to think of the past five years of industry factors other than the current technology allows manufacturers to increase volume production of units (i.e.: Intel going from 90nm to 65nm to 45nm). That and more electronics like smart phones are using inputs created by semiconductor manufacturers.

Forgot to add: My analysis is going to be on mainly Intel and using AMD/TI as close competitors. I'm doing the preliminary industry stuff first.

Well silicon is one of the most abundant elements around so that won't run out. Hafnium maybe, but not silicon.

The major issues come from wanting to go smaller. The lithography is hard to improve upon.

 

[bravacentauri83]

I'm also assuming that research and development is a major component of the industry factors as Intel has been developing processors for the mobile market (i.e.: laptops, smartphones) and items for business/consumer (i.e.: low-powered CPUs and faster server CPUs).

 

[Nerva]

the key drivers for semis is wafer size (always growing bigger) and transistor size (becoming smaller). also, semiconductor covers a lot of ground, processor chips, memory, consumer good usage. you can't just say semi and expect to have a one paragraph summary.

 

[MichaelD]

The semiconductor industry sucks balls. More than a year ago I filed my part of the suit against Micron, Samsung, Hynix, etc (better known as the DRAM Antitrust Litigation lawsuit LINKAGE ) and still haven't seen a penny. They all pleaded GUILTY in court, just to get it over with. What's $325M to those guys? They've got that much in the ashtray's of their Jags.

Where's my freakin' $500, you cocksuckers? :|

There. Aren't you glad you asked us to do your homework for you?

 

[Nerva]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
The semiconductor industry sucks balls. More than a year ago I filed my part of the suit against Micron, Samsung, Hynix, etc (better known as the DRAM Antitrust Litigation lawsuit LINKAGE ) and still haven't seen a penny. They all pleaded GUILTY in court, just to get it over with. What's $325M to those guys? They've got that much in the ashtray's of their Jags.

Where's my freakin' $500, you cocksuckers? :|

There. Aren't you glad you asked us to do your homework for you?

325mm hits the bottom line. for the smaller semis, that's their entire revenue for a year