IBM to make Nvidia Next-Gen Graphics Chips

[speng]

http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/030326/tech_ibm_nvidia_1.html

http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/030326/0042000013_2.html

I think this more has to do with using IBMs chip making facilities. After being "burned" by TSMC, I can certainly see why Nvidia would want a better and more mature process.

This still doesn't impact Sony, Nintendo or even if ATI wanted to be a partner. IBM deals with multiple customers all the time.

Speng.

 

[London Geezer]

This is it then, this is why they upgraded their factories to processes that are not going to be used in the production of Cell... i was wonderng what chip they were going to mass produce to afford something that is not going to be used for Cell.... happy now

 

[zurich]

bout frickin time.

 

[marconelly!]

This is it then, this is why they upgraded their factories to processes that are not going to be used in the production of Cell... i was wondering what chip they were going to mass produce to afford something that is not going to be used for Cell.... happy now

Yep, my thoughts exactly.

 

[Brimstone]

So Sony is going to fab all of their main chips (CPU and GPU) for the PS 3? Sony just gave them a technology transfer for the fabrication process?

 

[JF_Aidan_Pryde]

This move levels any 'technological' playing field that Sony once had over NVIDIA..(?)

 

[London Geezer]

This move levels any 'technological' playing field that Sony once had over NVIDIA..(?)

Well, the way i understand this is that they upgraded their fabs to 0.10 micron processes, which is likely to be used for Nvidia chips, THEN they will upgrade again to .65 or less for Cell....

but what do i know anyway...

 

[jvd]

This move levels any 'technological' playing field that Sony once had over NVIDIA..(?)

Well, the way i understand this is that they upgraded their fabs to 0.10 micron processes, which is likely to be used for Nvidia chips, THEN they will upgrade again to .65 or less for Cell....

but what do i know anyway...

IT reads to me that the fab isn't going to be fully used and instead of wasting money they will let nvidia use it. Which means nvidia will have .10 micron soon. Of course they couldn't make a decent chip on .13 micron so who knows. What intel is doing with thier .65 nm tech is anyones guess. But i think toshiba and sonys fab is going to be upgraded to .65 nm and ibm is just letting sony liscense the cell tech

 

[BoddoZerg]

Which means nvidia will have .10 micron soon. Of course they couldn't make a decent chip on .13 micron so who knows.

TSMC's fault, not nVidia's. This move is great for nVidia, I wonder why they didn't do it earlier.

 

[V3]

This move levels any 'technological' playing field that Sony once had over NVIDIA..(?)

Depend on NV contracts. IBM do keep their latest process tech to themself, for obvious advantages.

I don't think NV enters into partnership agreement with IBM to develop tech, the way Sony and Toshiba did.

 

[speng]

This move levels any 'technological' playing field that Sony once had over NVIDIA..(?)

No, there are several other technologies that Nvidia does not have access to.

You're forgetting the SoC processes that Toshiba, IBM and Sony developed. Also, I doubt they will get to use .65um before Sony or even soon after Sony does.

TSMC's fault, not nVidia's. This move is great for nVidia, I wonder why they didn't do it earlier

TSMC is pretty cheap compared to IBM. IBM is probably close to 2 times more expensive than TSMC. You can see why Nvidia and others choose their chip building processes, because you kinda save money.

However, with IBMs 300 wafer and technology prowess, Nvidia can still get good results from better yields and more chips per wafer. Which can then still turn a good profit. This also should be seen as a flexibility option for Nvidia. Let IBM produce the first wave of the chips since their process is generally more mature to meet early market demands, then slowly shift more of the production to TSMC as their process matures at a lower cost.

I wouldn't be suprised if a month from now, ATI announces a deal with IBM, or even Intel.

Speng.

 

[Panajev2001a]

This is not bad news for PlayStation 3...

Sony and Toshiba are partnering with IBM on Cell design and on the new SoC manufacturing technology... nVIDIA is contracting IBM for chip manufacturing using IBM's advanced manufacturing plants.

This is bad news for ATI unless they partner with IBM or Intel...

Sony and Toshiba are working on their 65 nm process ( which I suspect is based off the technology they licensed from IBM a while ago [100 nm SOI process] ) and IBM is scheduled to bring their 65 nm process ( if Sony and Toshiba used IBM tech and advices to complete their 65 nm process it is possible IBM might use that process in their fabs ) next year as well ( Sony is supposed to be starting early production after March 2004, the date the 65 nm process will be available in the fabs they have )...


This is a very wise choice nVIDIA is making: IBM will not only make the chips, but also help a bit on advanced circuit design ( nVIDIA would pay a small bonus or this would be a free extra that comes with the current contract ) as this quote suggests:

"Sometimes they (chip designers) run into a bottleneck and need a little outside help," the analyst said. "You can no longer separate process technology from design technology."

In my wild dreams I think... well what if all the appreciation for IBM, Cell and PlayStation 3 ( and the talks with Sony ) mean something

Hehehe, a man can dream

 

[megadrive0088]

Yes and in return, perhaps Nvidia is indeed working with Sony-Toshiba-IBM on the graphics end of PS3

 

[Tahir2]

GFFX is not the fault of TSMC.. I wish people would quit trying that one.

 

[JF_Aidan_Pryde]

GFFX is not the fault of TSMC.. I wish people would quit trying that one.

The GeforceFX delay is partly due to TSMC, but the NV30 design, the resulting performance is the blunder of NVIDIA.

 

[jvd]

GFFX is not the fault of TSMC.. I wish people would quit trying that one.

The GeforceFX delay is partly due to TSMC, but the NV30 design, the resulting performance is the blunder of NVIDIA.

nvidia banked on the .13 low k or whatever its called to be ready. Only tsmcs .13 was ready. If ati could produce the r300 at .15 and get what they wanted and create the fastest chip out to this day on .15 micron then why couldn't nvidia creat with an extra 6 months a chip at least on par with ati on .13.... its nvidias fault .