Latest INQ rumor: Intel might buy ATi

[5150Joker]

http://theinquirer.net/?article=31730

Well there was a thread here recently discussing about how Intel was thinking of getting back into 3D gaming so what better way than to buy one of the leading GPU makers? Course even INQ thinks this is far fetched but personally I think this would be a great move by Intel. ATi would have direct access to Intel fabs and engineers and Intel would be able to leverage ATi hardware in all their chipsets without paying a royalty and have a large presence in desktops/servers/notebooks. Seeing how nVidia/AMD are cozying up so much, this buyout or even partnership would be a very logical step.

 

[Ika]

how would this turn out for the graphics card department? Sure, ATI would get better distribution and possibly wider chipset support in intel boards, but would ATi still be able to keep up with nvidia?

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: guoziming
how would this turn out for the graphics card department? Sure, ATI would get better distribution and possibly wider chipset support in intel boards, but would ATi still be able to keep up with nvidia?

If this rumor by some far fetched chance did pan out, ATi would be in a much better position to compete against nVidia. It would have a lot more money for R&D, more engineers at it's disposal and best of all, Intel's fabs.

 

[fierydemise]

This would give nVidia a virtual monopoly of AMD NBs, and that would be very bad for all of us.

 

[Lonyo]

How would they NOT be able to keep up with nVidia?
And I quote:

IBM, NVIDIA form strategic alliance
NVIDIA awards next generation GeForce GPU manufacturing design to IBM's advanced semiconductor foundry

Intel has things like researchers working on new tech processes (eg: 45nm etc), which could not really harm ATi, they have fabs, which could be useful, they have resources and engineers.
Intel would mostly help ATi, assuming they kept the ATi staff (engineer wise) and used their resources and technology to build on ATi's existing stuff.

 

[BassBomb]

when will people stop reading INQ?

 

[TanisHalfElven]

yeah but the main concern would be nvidia as the ONLY (good) gfx maker for amd. that would plain suck. besides ati is doing well. there hardware is great they don't need intell screwing them.

 

[Paratus]

This would hurt the AMD platform. Unless someone thinks VIA can step it up.


posted via Palm Life Drive

 

[n7]

I do not find this idea very appealing at all...

Less competition is nearly always bad IMO...

 

[Sunrise089]

Isn't ATI a Canadian company? I don't really know the Canadian regulatory environment, but might there be an issue with their #1 PC hardware componant producer being bought out?

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Originally posted by: Sunrise089
Isn't ATI a Canadian company? I don't really know the Canadian regulatory environment, but might there be an issue with their #1 PC hardware componant producer being bought out?

No, we're talking about Canada remember?

 

[Cookie Monster]

What next, Microsoft buys Sony?!!?!?

 

[tuteja1986]

Intel and ATI :!

Intel Core Duo Exterme edition with R600 Crossfire Exterme Edition anyone. if this happens then say good bye to Upcoming AMD RD6XX Mobo which are really better than anything Nvidia Nforce mobo has to offer.

Would be a great step for ATI because Intel Could help with ATI terrible marketing.

 

[zmaster]

but isnt ati already in a joint venture with nokia?

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: zmaster
but isnt ati already in a joint venture with nokia?

That's what I heard but Nokia didn't buy ATI.

 

[nitromullet]

Upcoming AMD RD6XX Mobo which are really better than anything Nvidia Nforce mobo has to offer

A bit OT, but where did you come up with that info?

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: n7
I do not find this idea very appealing at all...

Less competition is nearly always bad IMO...

there would still be 2 companies making high end gaming chips...

 

[DeathReborn]

Originally posted by: 5150Joker
http://theinquirer.net/?article=31730

Well there was a thread here recently discussing about how Intel was thinking of getting back into 3D gaming so what better way than to buy one of the leading GPU makers? Course even INQ thinks this is far fetched but personally I think this would be a great move by Intel. ATi would have direct access to Intel fabs and engineers and Intel would be able to leverage ATi hardware in all their chipsets without paying a royalty and have a large presence in desktops/servers/notebooks. Seeing how nVidia/AMD are cozying up so much, this buyout or even partnership would be a very logical step.

While it would be good for ATI I highly doubt it'll happen. nVidia & AMD are cozy due to AMD not making the Desktop Chipsets so they need other companies to do it and nVidia just happen to be good at it. If Intel stopped making chipsets nVidia, ATI, VIA, SiS etc would all be able to move into that market without much trouble but as it is Intel has that market pretty much tied up.

Maybe if it did happen ATI would finally learn how to make a southbridge chip on time & on performance with the competition (in all areas).

Perhaps if tit did happen Samsung would buy nVidia, that would pretty much even things out.

 

[nitromullet]

If Intel stopped making chipsets

Where do you get that from any of this?

 

[DeathReborn]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

If Intel stopped making chipsets

Where do you get that from any of this?

5150Joker brought the realtionship between AMD & nVidia (Chipsets) and that wouldn't be the same if Intel didn't have a stranglehold on chipsets for Intel CPU's. If they did stop, ATI & nVidia among others would have open access to a huge market and in the process increase profits to improve R&D etc.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: zmaster
but isnt ati already in a joint venture with nokia?

To supply mobile graphics chips AFAIK, hence the Biboys acquisition by ATi for one thing (Bitboys do make real products, for mobile phones).
ATi doesn't only make PC graphics, they do set top box stuff, mobile phone chips etc.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: DeathReborn

Originally posted by: nitromullet

If Intel stopped making chipsets

Where do you get that from any of this?

5150Joker brought the realtionship between AMD & nVidia (Chipsets) and that wouldn't be the same if Intel didn't have a stranglehold on chipsets for Intel CPU's. If they did stop, ATI & nVidia among others would have open access to a huge market and in the process increase profits to improve R&D etc.

Obvioulsy, it wouldn't be the same. What I'm asking you is what makes you think Intel would ever stop making chipsets for their own cpu's? I don't think they would do that regardless of who they purchase. Maybe I'm dense, but I just don't understand why you're even bringing that up at all...

 

[Wreckage]

I don't think Intel has much interest in the high end video card market.

I also don't see what they would gain from buying ATI.

Intel already has the best chipset for their own processors and they also sell the most intergrated graphics of any company.

If for some reason they did buy ATI they would probably just take what they needed in addition to there current chipset and GPU programs and scrap/sell off the rest.

The inq is a wild rumor site and they will post just about anything.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: Wreckage
I don't think Intel has much interest in the high end video card market.

I also don't see what they would gain from buying ATI.

#1 - Additional 25% or so of videocard market share for a total of close to 70%.
#2 - better integrated graphics, securing their position as the leader of graphics chipsets on the market - you sell intel boards with even faster graphics cards onboard, it'll be even harder to convince people they need a discrete graphics card....
#3 - ...and those who still want to buy discrete will say choose ATI over Nvidia 50% of the time (hypothetically). So Intel will own 2/3 of the graphics card market - who doesn't want those profits?

 

[T2k]

This deal has zero chance to pass, even under this utterly crooked pro-mega-corporation administration - unless, of course, antitrust enforcement laws will be 'easied' or lifted...