Topic: AMD buys Ati

[Ceric]

An article about it

I wonder what that means to for us.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I hope this doesn't affect the Mii2 or the Xbox1080p. I hope AMD isn't doing this in part for hopes of intering the console chip making business in about 4-6 years when the next-next generation comes around. I would fully expect MS and Nintendo to stick with IBM just for backwards compatability sake and I hope AMD doesn't stand in the way of that by trying to force MS & N to use AMD chips in conjunction with ATi chips just because they own them now.

If something like that goes down, I hope the former ArtX team breaks back away from AMDTi and forms a new company that would hopefully be partly funded by Nintendo and continue working on making a next-new-generation Flipper(since Nintendo owns the design).

[KDR_11k]

I think the only result will be better integration between GPU and CPU in PCs. Perhaps they'll also use this to make computer manufacturers offer some AMD based systems as well and not just as a token gesture.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I'm sure that this move is directed towards the advancements of Intel and their quest to make their own graphics solutions inhouse. And I'm also sure that some where deep down in there, this is a move to also make cell seem overly expensive and unneccesary somewhere down the line.

Since Intel hopes to make its own grafix solutions, IBM & Sony hope for cell to be its own grafix solution, and AMD buys ATi* for grafix solutions.....  where does this leave Nvidia?

*Doesn't Apple use ATi for their grafix solutions too?

[Ceric]

Actually Apple uses both of them.  Think about it like this graphics is pretty much a two horse race.  Ati and Nvidia.  Nvidia has been in the lead pretty much.  Ati makes some headway and then Nvidia ups them.  Much like how processors is a two horse race for desktops and laptops.  Intel and AMD.  Now that AMD has Ati this really open ups some possibilities for laptops more so then Desktops.  Laptops always uses a form of integrated video.  Desktops you use expansion cards or get out.  AMD will probably make a mobile chip with the goal of integrating them all on the same die to help reduce energy draw and heat concerns.  This could open up some real possibilities.  I wouldn't be surprised of we see in the next few years a viable Computer on a Chip from AMD for the Origami style devices.

Also keeping AMD as a sub-company in a way.  AMD could still have them developing chipsets for Intel chips.  That way they can ride the success of their competition.  A good model mind you.  Not to mention Graphics cards which I'm sure could be enhanced with some of AMD's memory architecture research.  So in the future you could have an Intel computer that Motherboard is all AMD.  Sound integrated vy the chipset, Video ATI, Chipset ATI, Processor Intel.  Think of the irony.  

[BlackNMild2k1]

More news related to the buy-out

Intel has pulled ATi's chipset license

Quote
Intel has pulled ATI's chipset license, meaning that there will be no more ATI (or rather, AMD) chipsets for Intel processors after the end of the year.

[Ceric]

lol.  That was quick.  Though I wondering if ATI was up for renewal.  I mean I can't beleive they have such a clause in that contract.

[Bill Aurion]

Well it looks like I'll be getting AMD computers from now on...

[Athrun Zala]

let's see how this turns out....

just when intel was shaping up, with great things like Conroe...

[WindyMan]

This works out great for me since I've prefered AMD and ATI since the beginning of my computing days.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

ati & amd sitting in a tree

K I S - *BRANCH BREAKS*

INDUSTRY CRASH

[18 Days]

Pretty sure only consumers will hurt from this.

[BlackNMild2k1]

How does Nvidia feel about this news? They feel like ATi has thrown in the towel

Quote
FiringSquad: What is NVIDIA's official reaction to the proposed merger between AMD and ATI?

Derek Perez: We look at today's news as a positive for the company and there's a couple of reasons why. Ultimately this leaves us as the only GPU and platform company that will be able to support both AMD and Intel. That's huge. There's no other GPU company, no other chipset company that's going to come close to what we're offering and that puts us in a really good position right off the bat. If you look at those two pieces of business, GPU and platform technology we've got four strong brands, SLI, GeForce, Quadro, and nForce which we're all right now winning versus ATI everywhere across the board and I think you guys will agree with that. So if you think about it, it's kind of like ATI's thrown in the towel right? Getting beat on both ends, looking for a way out, a little bit like 3dfx a few years back.

source

And this next tidbit is from the inquirer.... is it reliable info?
ATI's Intel chipset deal = 80% of ATi's chipset revenue?

Quote
We must admit to being a bit shocked to learn that ATI made eighty per cent of its chipset revenues from its Intel chipset deal. Now Intel is withdrawing and doesn't want ATI's chipsets anymore.
~
And ATI's Intel deal is cast adrift to float down the swannee. AMD bean-counter Bob Rivet said yesterday the arrangement added up to some £100 million per quarter, while CEO Hector Ruiz reckoned the $100 million would be quickly replaced. What with, we wonder?

We can suggest no equivalent substitution.

 

[KDR_11k]

Intel pulling Ati's license might be additional fodder for the antitrust lawsuit.

Me, I'll be staying with AMD and NVidia thankyouverymuch since Ati is a pile of dung if you're trying to do anything other than gaming on Windows. It's crap on Linux, it's crap for applications and it's crap for opensource games like Spring.

[BiLdItUp1]

Well actually guys, in the interim, Intel is keeping its' contracts with ATi.

Also see this article at The Inquirer for an interesting take on the deal. (Makes sense to me anyway.)