3 Different Video Card Sales Models?

[BDawg]

I've noticed that the 3 main 3d card makers (ATi, NVidia, and 3dfx) each has a different sales model.

ATi makes most of it's money from OEM customers, but has recently picked up sales growth on public sales. They make their own boards, and do not license many designs.

NVidia makes some of it's money from OEM sales, but a bulk of it comes from licensing to other card makers.

3dfx does no licensing, no OEM sales, and makes all of it's own product.

From our point of view (end user), which of these is the best for us? Does one of them provide better research? And, does one of them provide more money/unit?

Wow, this really turned into an essay question ^_^...reminds me of college!

 

[Vegito]

3DFX made their own stuff after acquiring STB which is a video card manufacture so now they make their own stuff but before, they did license it out like CL Banshee, CL V2..etc..etc.

 

[MustangSVT]

??? what do u mean which is best for us? just get the one with best performance for money u can spend.

 

[hans007]

ATI and 3dfx's models are better, they have much tighter control over quality. I think that is part of the reason 3dfx switched to making their own cards. Lots of geforces have bad 2d etc problems, which ati and 3dfx cards do not