But a Reuters report claims that Intel is struggling to make usable chips on 18A, according to "people who were briefed on the company's test data since late last year." As of this summer, these sources say that just 10 percent of the chips being manufactured on 18A are "up to [Intel's] specifications.

The production process that Intel hoped would pave the way to winning manufacturing deals and restore its edge in churning out high-end, high-margin chips is facing a big hurdle on quality as it puts newer technologies to the test.

A Reuters report yesterday claims that Intel is struggling with poor yields on its next-generation 18A manufacturing process, and the state of the manufacturing chain is bad enough, allegedly, that it might jeopardize the launch of Panther Lake.