Intel hiring 3DLabs staff

[retrox]

http://uk.theinquirer.net/?article=33812

Now would this possibly mean that Intel could eventually launch discrete graphics chips (i740 anyone?) ? Or would this dream team "only" work on improving integrated solutions?

What do you think?

 

[_xxx_]

Very interesting news here! Sounds so far like Intel is indeed after the discrete market.

 

[neliz]

Very interesting news here! Sounds so far like Intel is indeed after the discrete market.

Read here: http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32643. allready discussed whether or not this february deal already influences the DX10 parts.

Btw, if you read the next inq article they'll lead you to a l'inq showing jobs at intel, a new graphics marketing manager etc. are looked for.

 

[retrox]

What's new compared to february is the possibility for Intel to be lagging behind its competitor when ATI supplies AMD with high-quality chipsets and good integrated graphics chips (think about platforms here, ala centrino).

If AMD offers a high-quality CPU-chipset-graphics combo, this will be a threat for Intel. Intel lacks a decent graphics part. Of course recruiting engineers now or even 6 months ago wont change 965G. But next year chipsets could benefit from it.

Also having its competitor develop high-end discrete parts while Intel is locked in the low end, integrated market is a problem in terms of image (leadership, innovation and all...).

 

[demonic]

i wish intel used their connection with PVR and gave the goods to 3dlabs engineers. Hopefully finally get a TBDR? into the market.

Oh well, can only dream!

 

[lopri]

This is an old news. And the reason Intel has no choice but to go for descrete GPUs is far from being technical.

 

[chavvdarrr]

This is an old news. And the reason Intel has no choice but to go for descrete GPUs is far from being technical.

?
Vista? or?

 

[retrox]

And the reason Intel has no choice but to go for descrete GPUs is far from being technical.

That's good news because we are in the Companies and Industry section, and I didn't see anyone discuss technical matters here. Care to share you insight regarding business / strategic reasons for Intel to go in the discrete market (once again)?

 

[Rolf N]

Tons of idling fabs.

 

[_xxx_]

Tons of idling fabs.

Why, they could sell some fab space to AMD/ATI maybe?

 

[ZoinKs!]

I suppose hiring more engineers is more cost effective then buying nVidia.

I hope this will lead to Intel making integrated graphics that are, well, not great, but at least able to run recent games. It's a bummer people can spend a thousand dollars on a laptop and it won't run games at all.

 

[karlotta]

well lets hope they are not part of the 15,000 workers Intell will be laying off, 5000 is middle managment.

 

[Guden Oden]

I suppose hiring more engineers is more cost effective then buying nVidia.

I understand this is likely a joke, but I don't think the antitrust regulations would actually allow intel to buy nvidia...

In any case, I do hope intel gets into the standalone GPU business, that would rock IMO. Intel's reputation for quality if nothing else (I'll ignore its reputation for absolute ruthlessness as well here ) means we'd get good and stable drivers and reliable hardware. Intel also probably has the most advanced cmos manufacturing tech in the business, so if we could take advantage of that in GPUs it would likely mean smaller and cooler-running chips.

Also, it would shake up the rather stagnant NV and ATi slackers and force them to start innovating and pulling their weight again.

Great news for everybody in all, even for those who have no intentions of buying intel GPUs under any circumstance.

 

[obobski]

I'm glad to see that this could be some future competition for nV and ATI, although the consolidation of everything onto the two main CPU manufacturers is somewhat concerning, if Intel really does go into discrete w/3Dlabs' group (even if they don't actually) all that's left non-CPU manufacturer owned, is Matrox and nVidia...doesn't leave much for 3rd party thinking, just mainstream CPU builder thinking (meaning more focus would be placed around integrated, low cost solutions)