Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has secured fewer 40nm orders from customers than originally expected, according to market sources.

AMD and Nvidia have both adopted a cautious approach to upcoming 40nm graphics chips due to economic uncertainties.

AMD's 40nm mid-range RV740 and high-end RV790 GPUs will both be launched in April this year, while Nvidia will launch its first 40nm GPU, GT212 in the second quarter of 2009.

AMD and Nvidia both declined the opportunity to respond to this report saying they cannot comment on unannounced products.