Rumor
Nvidia advances CoWoP technology with concentrated supply chain of three PCB manufacturers
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 03:15 AM
Nvidia is reportedly moving forward with its CoWoP (Chip on Wafer on Package) advanced packaging technology, which has narrowed the qualified printed circuit board (PCB) supply chain to only three specific manufacturers.
Context
Nvidia is reportedly advancing its CoWoP (Chip-on-Wafer-on-Platform) technology, a revolutionary packaging architecture that mounts chips directly onto PCB platforms. This shift effectively eliminates the traditional ABF (Ajinomoto Build-up Film) substrate, a persistent supply chain bottleneck that currently lacks a domestic U.S. manufacturing source. By bypassing the IC substrate, Nvidia aims to reduce costs, improve thermal management, and shorten delivery times for next-generation AI accelerators.
The supply chain for this specialized technology has narrowed to just three PCB manufacturers capable of meeting the extreme density and reliability requirements of CoWoP. This concentration highlights a strategic consolidation as the industry moves away from standard CoWoS packaging. While some analysts remain skeptical about near-term adoption for chips like Rubin Ultra, the push toward mSAP and HDI processes on large-scale PCBs represents a significant pivot in the AI hardware value chain through 2026.
Sources (9)
TPCA predicts 13.9% rise in global PCB market in 2026 amid AI-driven capacity shiftWho can take over CoWoS?-Electronics Headlines-EEWORLD[News] CoWoP: A Game-Changer Beyond CoWoS—Or Just Hype? PCB Makers Stay SkepticalThe Manufacturing Challenge Behind Nvidia’s Plan to Mount AI Chips Directly on PCB PlatformsAdvanced packaging technology competition among the top three: CoWoS, CoPoS, CoWoP. Who will dominate the future of AI chips?_News center_Suzhou I-stock Intelligent Technology Co., LTDFrom substrate to system: A deep dive into Nvidia's CoWoP packaging shift - Electronics Manufacturing NewsPCBs: Powering AI Servers 2025 - PCBONLINEBeyond Chips: The Hidden Role of PCBs in the AI Value Chain
Related Companies
Nvidia
NVDA