AMD Gaming Exec Leaves for Nvidia

[BlockheadBrown]

http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/07/24/amd-gaming-executive-departs-chip-maker-for-rival-nvidia/

The executive overseeing Advanced Micro Devices Inc.'s (AMD) relationship with video game-console makers has left the company to join rival Nvidia Corp. (NVDA), taking with him years of experience in the competitive field.

Bob Feldstein, who joined AMD when the company acquired graphics-chip maker ATI in 2006, has taken on the role of vice president of technology licensing at Nvidia. He most recently served as AMD's corporate vice president of business development and also led the company's Boston Design Center, which focuses on design engineering for AMD's various chips.

 

[Dark Shroud]

How did he not have a non-compete clause?

 

[Skurge]

So he wasn't there before AMD bought ATI?

 

[n0x1ous]

Yes he was with ATI as far back as 2002

 

[Rvenger]

Sounds like AMD needs some new innovative minds. Looking pretty stagnant in AMD land.

 

[n0x1ous]

Sounds like AMD needs some new innovative minds. Looking pretty stagnant in AMD land.

Hard to find people that want to board that sinking ship. If I were a CPU engineer would I want to work for place with limitless budget or massive debt? If I was a GPU engineer would I want to work on the biggest, most powerful GPU that a given node allows or hit for a sweet spot?

Perhaps the consumer view of AMD as a "budget" brand follows over to potential employees as well. I think that part hurts what was "ATI" because "ATI" was a very powerful brand name that maybe viewed differently under the AMD brand.

 

[nanaki333]

Hard to find people that want to board that sinking ship. If I were a CPU engineer would I want to work for place with limitless budget or massive debt? If I was a GPU engineer would I want to work on the biggest, most powerful GPU that a given node allows or hit for a sweet spot?

Perhaps the consumer view of AMD as a "budget" brand follows over to potential employees as well. I think that part hurts what was "ATI" because "ATI" was a very powerful brand name that maybe viewed differently under the AMD brand.

but people get really desperate on sinking ships. you'd be surprised what engineers would be allowed to do to keep the ship afloat. that includes diverting all available resources at your engineers disposal.

 

[HurleyBird]

If I was a GPU engineer would I want to work on the biggest, most powerful GPU that a given node allows or hit for a sweet spot?

Would you want to ship the very first product on any given node? Or continually lag behind and be held back by process tech?

I think an engineer would be less concerned with getting to work on extremely large dies and more taken in by working on very advanced tech. Architecturally, RV770 was a much larger accomplishment than GT200, and I would think more rewarding to be a part of building. Lately though both teams seem surprisingly equal as their design goals converge.

That being said, the questionable level of competence in AMD's upper management can't be a turn on.

 

[Arkaign]

This sounds like a completely non-technical related job honestly. Really a sales job of the top level as far as I can tell. Given that AMD doesn't exactly have a stellar record getting their GPUs/etc into non-PC devices, I don't think this is really a loss.

 

[BlockheadBrown]

IIRC, AMD's new CEO stated a while ago that their focus will be with designs for handheld/portable devices. I believe he's looking to make the company more profitable, anticipate demand and improve overall business. I can't blame him for trying to do what he thinks is best for AMD.

 

[exar333]

How did he not have a non-compete clause?

Not to be off-topic, but unless your company is paying you for the duration of the non-compete, you are foolish to sign one. Some states (CA IIRC) prohibits them altogether or in most forms.

 

[sefsefsefsef]

Given that AMD doesn't exactly have a stellar record getting their GPUs/etc into non-PC devices, I don't think this is really a loss.

What? ATi was inside 2/3 of the last generation of consoles, and will be in 3/3 of the next generation.

 

[Keysplayr]

Consoles themselves arent a very lucratve product. I have heard many times that the actual consoles are sold at a loss but the games and accessories are where the bread and butter are. And besides, i don't think Arkain was referring to consoles, but non pc devices like smartphones and tablets.

 

[WiseUp216]

Consoles themselves arent a very lucratve product. I have heard many times that the actual consoles are sold at a loss

Maybe for Sony/MS/Nintendo.

Certainly any GPU vendor is making a profit on every unit sold.

 

[sefsefsefsef]

Maybe for Sony/MS/Nintendo.

Certainly any GPU vendor is making a profit on every unit sold.

This is correct. Who cares if Sony is losing $20 or making $10 on every console sold? They have to pay AMD the same regardless.

 

[Mopetar]

Maybe for Sony/MS/Nintendo.

Certainly any GPU vendor is making a profit on every unit sold.

I'm pretty sure Nintendo made a profit on every piece of Wii hardware. For what was in that console, there's no way they were taking a loss on them.

That said, the games are certainly much more profitable over the long haul.

 

[blackened23]

Wait, AMD had a gaming exec?

 

[moonbogg]

AMD ruined ATI. I remember when ATI used to make me think stuff like "powerful, awesome, high FPS, will pimp the latest games". Now I think stuff like "Becoming like aMd, second place, low power, low cost, low performance, low low low".

 

[AnandThenMan]

Consoles themselves arent a very lucratve product. I have heard many times that the actual consoles are sold at a loss...

When is the last time AMD made a game console?

AMD ruined ATI. I remember when ATI used to make me think stuff like "powerful, awesome, high FPS, will pimp the latest games". Now I think stuff like "Becoming like aMd, second place, low power, low cost, low performance, low low low".

Your perception is far from reality.

 

[ButtMagician]

AMD ruined ATI. I remember when ATI used to make me think stuff like "powerful, awesome, high FPS, will pimp the latest games". Now I think stuff like "Becoming like aMd, second place, low power, low cost, low performance, low low low".

I disagree. AMD has good graphics card offerings in all but the highest tier. And I honestly don't see a reason to buy the very top card, as you end up with a poor performance vs price ratio.

 

[MrK6]

This sounds like a completely non-technical related job honestly. Really a sales job of the top level as far as I can tell. Given that AMD doesn't exactly have a stellar record getting their GPUs/etc into non-PC devices, I don't think this is really a loss.

My thoughts too. AMD's marketing is crap, why would NVIDIA take one of their executives?

 

[Keysplayr]

When is the last time AMD made a game console?

Your perception is far from reality.

You can be obtuse if you want to, but you knew what I meant.

 

[Siberian]

Doesn't NVIDIA have a habit of feasting on the corpses of dead companies? Like 3DFX.

 

[Keysplayr]

Doesn't NVIDIA have a habit of feasting on the corpses of dead companies? Like 3DFX.

If you mean, buying out their IP for actual money is equal to feasting on the corpses of dead (or dying) companies. :awe:

 

[AnandThenMan]

You can be obtuse if you want to, but you knew what I meant.

No I did not, what exactly are you trying to say?

Doesn't NVIDIA have a habit of feasting on the corpses of dead companies? Like 3DFX.

AMD ain't dead yet. ^_^