zalman throws hat into gpu aib ring

[sandorski]

normally i would agree but they havent even released a series of card since then, so there demand for AIB's is unchanged. Especially since Nvidia has been gainging marketshare back over the last 2 years. Obviously the just didnt want to work with BFG for whatever reason, and they could have told them that, instead they told them we dont need more AIB's and then signed another one anyways.

After reading more into this it doesnt even seem Zalman is using custom coolers and is asking a fairly high price compared to the other AIB's. So i hope they have a differnt plan that using a basic design and charging high end prices or they are not going to last long.

lolwut. You haven't spent much time thinking about this.

 

[Rifter]

lolwut. You haven't spent much time thinking about this.

seeing as i just read the AT article 4 hours ago you are correct

 

[Pantalaimon]

Its not any smarter to go with someone who has never made a video card before.

Except this company with a proven history is about to go under. Not exactly a glowing reference. Even if the more unknown one might not do so well, you at least stand a better chance to get paid on time.

 

[Madcatatlas]

Do you have reading comprehension issues?

BFG approches AMD to be AIB for 6xxx series, AMD tells them no they dont need anymore AIB. Zalman approces AMD to be AIB for 6xxx series and AMD says yes. IMO thats a dick move to shaft a known quality company to go with a unknown company.

Alot of things must be dick moves in your mind then. Its simple really, if this is correct information, AMD didnt need another Aib after getting XFX onboard and said no to bfg. Now they have room after XFX has settled in good.

On a completely related note, BFG are the idiots in this, as they got the shaft by Nvidia and didnt do anything before the final kick by again Nvidia.

its a rough market Rifter, too much dick moves

 

[Rifter]

Except this company with a proven history is about to go under. Not exactly a glowing reference. Even if the more unknown one might not do so well, you at least stand a better chance to get paid on time.

True, and zalman might do well, they have the know how to offer some really exciting cards with exotic air coolers. I just havent seen anything like this pictured yet anywhere. From the pics so far they are going to sell run of the mill cards with run of the mill coolers at the upper end of the price range from the other AIB's, and i dont think thats going to work well for them.

 

[Arkadrel]

@Rifter
Im 99% sure that Zalmans target audience is in asian and there only (atleast initially).
Also because its a investment, and designing a card on your own takes along time, first generation card a new company puts out is (almost always) a reference design (for obvious reasons).

Maybe next gen, we ll see custom designs from Zalman, with crazy air cooler designs.

also, BGF went under because nvidia gave them the shaft.
Thats why they had to run to AMD as ask if they could make some AMD cards.

My little brother still has a old BFG card I used to love them too.
Mostly cuz of Quake, and "Big f***ing Gun", great name for a card producer.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Do you have reading comprehension issues?

BFG approches AMD to be AIB for 6xxx series, AMD tells them no they dont need anymore AIB. Zalman approces AMD to be AIB for 6xxx series and AMD says yes. IMO thats a dick move to shaft a known quality company to go with a unknown company.

We have absolutely no idea what went on behind the scenes. BFG may have wanted to pay less than AMD was willing to sell the chips for all we know. BFG may wanted some kind of special treatment that AMD didn't want to give them, or could tell in negotiations that this isn't a partner they wanted to work with (after all Nvidia seemed to think so, too). AMD isn't a charity, they don't have to work with any company that approaches them if they don't feel it makes good business sense.

 

[we1shcake]

"allegedly" BFG started manufacturing ati graphics cards without ati's permission, i dont know where they got the actual chips from but heres the link
http://www.thinq.co.uk/2010/8/19/bfg-did-make-ati-cards/
would give ati good reason to refuse them

 

[The Boston Dangler]

"allegedly" BFG started manufacturing ati graphics cards without ati's permission, i dont know where they got the actual chips from but heres the link
http://www.thinq.co.uk/2010/8/19/bfg-did-make-ati-cards/
would give ati good reason to refuse them

According to the source, BFG had little to do with the manufacturing process, other than having its name on the packaging.

oh, so it was just like their overpriced nvidia cards and motherboard.

 

[railven]

"allegedly" BFG started manufacturing ati graphics cards without ati's permission, i dont know where they got the actual chips from but heres the link
http://www.thinq.co.uk/2010/8/19/bfg-did-make-ati-cards/
would give ati good reason to refuse them

Kind of puts more of the "dick move" on BFG. They got sour with nvidia, then tried to get approval from AMD to sell, but before the approval went through they already started production?

And yet, AMD is the dick? How does this work?

 

[Spikesoldier]

BFG was a great company, so was Abit. Too many of the good oldschool companies are falling.

agree 100%

i miss epox too, but i consider ASRock their successor in spirit in the market.

 

[Insomniator]

Sine when is BFG an old school company? I must be getting old o_o

Anyway I can't believe there is enough money in this business for 10-20 companies to survive anyway...

 

[taltamir]

The other nvidia partners are fine...

Only if by "fine" you mean "defected to AMD during the fermi years".

Zalman move makes a lot of sense. AIBs typically just resale the boards that come from AMD/nVidia.
Sometimes they factory overclock it, or put on an aftermarket cooler... rarely they design their own PCB.

Since Zalman is a cooler maker it makes a lot of sense for them to design unique GPU coolers for their "own" GPUs.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Only if by "fine" you mean "defected to AMD during the fermi years".

This. BFG was a premium AIB and had a nice line of PSUs as well (I'm still running a bunch of ES-800s and EX-1000s). Hell, JonnyGuru was working there.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Zalman's stuff is generally overpriced and too late in the game for this gen anyway.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

zalman is another company that made their name ages ago, succeeding against weak or no competition. their products remain "better than terrible" but don't justify the price and are blown away in performance by today's companies. maybe their oem products aren't bad, but the enthusiast can do better elsewhere, for sure.

 

[Ben90]

More competition, the better I say.

More competition isn't always better.

Anyway I can't believe there is enough money in this business for 10-20 companies to survive anyway...