What's next from ATI & NVIDIA ??

I thought we needed a change from the AMD vs INTEL debate. So this concerns GPUs.

We know AMD has bought ATI and beyond 2008 will release integrated graphics processors. But what about from now until 2008. Will ATI release any more GPUs?

And what is NVIDIA planning? Are they going to continue developing their GPUs or go in the same direction as AMD? NVIDIA has worked closely with AMD in the past. Does this mean they will be more closer to Intel?


Please, do share ur opinions.

By mid september ATI should release the x1950xt. The card that compares to the Nvidia 7950GX2. By december dx10 cards should start coming out. But the problem with this is that, when the cards first come out; they will extremely high priced. The "common" computer builder would be able to affort such high priced cards. Just have to wait for a couple more months in 07' for the card prices to drop. But yea dx10 cards are gonna be power hungry beasts. They willl take up a lot off resources.

So let's switch beyond that debate too.

The only two strategies left for nV are to tie themselves closely to Intel and eventually be bought out. Or move towards the High end GPU market but low end CPU market by buying VIA, and then eeking out what they can selling to Intel and AMD without being too much of a threat with their Eden and other low power solutions.

The biggest problem nV has is to pick some kind of destiny and with Intel being serious about their Discrete graphics intentions now, it's a tighter situation for nV long term so they have to start planning beyond their brief alliance with Intel. Short term nV will likely make a mint of money off of their new strategic position as Intel's flavour of the month while also offering AMD's best platform solution. Long term it will also depend on whether AMD decides to stay in the performance VPU market keeping the ATi brand/line alive and strong (kinda like Daimler Chrysler, etc). If AMD drops out of the high end VPU market then at least nV still has a strong revenue stream, but banking on AMD giving up a profitable (if lower margin) business is an unlikely proposition unless AMD flouders terribly against recent Intel ressuragance, and needs to focus way too much resources on their main product (CPUs), that seems unlikely even with a solid Core2Duo future.

The success of the G80 vs R600 will also have an impact on the fate of all the players here, and Intel's entrance in late2007/early2008 into the discrete market may have far greater influences than anything we see now. Currently they are stocking up on X-3DLabs and Ex-ATi employees which means we may see a functioning P10 only 5+ years late. Whether Intel 'wastes their time/money on the high end or not is also a big question. If both Intel and AMD only go after profit then that leave nV the high end, however without much profit then they will turn into a company like MAtrox or 3D Labs with very small volumes, and little way to spread out R&D and marketing costs.

Needless to say it's an interesting future which will either be very bright (if everyone competes in the high end) or very dismal (if everyone competes for the low-middle) for enthusiasts. The G90/R700 battle may very well be the last all out no holds (and holes) barred slugfest for #1 spot, I just hope not.

Was that the kind of opinions you were looking for?

BTW, Vista isn't likely to be as much of a resource hog for truely optimized apps, so for games it may be a boon/boost, even running under DX9 mode versus XP DX9 mode, but we'll have to wait and see once games are actually out for it (not just running in compatability mode).

damn sorry...double post!