Latest rumors spin around Intel more than ever. According to Semafor, the company is in early talks with AMD—once its biggest rival in the PC and server chip wars—about making chips on Intel's production lines. As a CNBC report cited by TrendForce points out, if AMD were to use Intel for chip production, it would be a big win for Intel's foundry push. The report suggests such a deal would carry symbolic weight: AMD , a fierce competitor in x86 chips for PCs and servers, trusting manufacturing to its biggest rival. Right now, AMD relies heavily on TSMC for most of its chip production. The report didn't say how much manufacturing AMD would do with Intel, but Reuters noted in March that NVIDIA and Broadcom were testing Intel's most advanced node, 18A , while AMD was weighing whether the tech fits its needs.

AMD isn't the only company Intel is eyeing. We reported in late September that Intel reached out to Apple to explore potential investments and ways to work together more closely. The talks are described as early-stage and may not lead to a deal. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported that Intel also contacted TSMC —both a foundry rival and manufacturing partner—about potential investments or production partnerships. However, Focus Taiwan says TSMC clarified that no discussions about investments or partnerships have happened, despite rumors floating around that the struggling chipmaker is seeking TSMC's help.