Question 1

How much does it cost to manufacture a semiconductor chip?

Accepted Answer

Chip manufacturing cost depends on process node, die size, wafer price, yield, and packaging. A small IoT chip on a mature 28nm node may cost $2–5, while an advanced AI accelerator on TSMC N3 can cost $2,000–10,000+ per die. Use our free calculator to model costs for any configuration.

Question 2

How are wafer costs determined for different process nodes?

Accepted Answer

Wafer costs range from roughly $2,000 for mature nodes (28nm+) to $20,000+ for leading-edge nodes like TSMC N3 and Samsung 3nm. Prices vary by foundry, volume, and contract terms. Key factors include EUV lithography usage, mask costs, and defect density at each node.

Question 3

What is die yield and how does it affect chip cost?

Accepted Answer

Die yield is the percentage of functional dies on a wafer. It depends on die size, defect density, and the yield model used (Poisson, Murphy, or Seeds). Larger dies have lower yields—an 800mm² GPU die may yield under 40%, while a 50mm² chip can exceed 95%. Lower yield directly increases per-die cost.

Chip Price Calculator - Interactive Wafer Cost Model