TSMC doesn't have a 14nm process, it's "16nm" process is 20nm, and considerably inferior to intel's 14nm same goes for the 12nm which is a BEOL improvement of 1

TSMC doesn't have a 14nm process, it's "16nm" process is 20nm, and considerably inferior to intel's 14nm same goes for the 12nm which is a BEOL improvement of 16nm with no density improvements. The only process that Intel might use if they outsource to TSMC is going to be the high performance 7nm node when it's out in full swing which is insanely expensive and not available just yet for mass production. For non CPUs it doesn't really matter but I doubt PCH, network chipset and modems are even built on 14nm but there is no process that Intel can use to tap out CPUs on especially it's high core count ones while keeping the same frequencies it's used to even with 7nm. TBH this sounds more like some BS than a valid rumor.