Jon Peddie Research (JPR) reports that add-in board (AIB) shipments dropped in 2Q12 as expected due to the summer season. But the unit shipments were also lower on a year-to-year comparison and on a quarter-to-quarter comparison for the quarter. This market is expect to decline even further thanks to the popularity of notebooks and the worldwide economic depression.
"Normally, this quarter of the year is down, and this year's quarter was no different, but the decline is less than the 10-year average," the company said on Monday. "However, this is just one quarter in a very turbulent year so we can't use this quarter a prediction of the future, the world-wide economic conditions are just too uncertain."
In 2Q12, AMD actually increased its market share of the AIB sector to 40.3-percent. Obviously Nvidia still dominates the market, but that share has slipped, falling to 59.3-percent. During the last quarter, Nvidia commanded a 61.9-percent share whereas AMD only retained 37.8-percent of the AIB market. So what was the cause of AMD's gain? Its introduction of the new Radeon HD 7000 series, and the success of the A10 "Trinity" APU.
"Nvidia got off to a slow start in Q2 and cited supply constraint as the main reasons for the decline," the firm states. "Embedded graphics processors at first were simply replacing integrated chipsets, and they did not have a major impact on AIBs. However, the new embedded graphics processor from AMD, the A10 (Trinity) has shown pretty good performance and has replaced entry-level AIBs."
According to a provided chart, the number of sold units tanked in 2008, and then picked back up again a year later. AIB growth fell again at the beginning of 2010, picked back up in the 3Q to 4Q period, then fell again one year later. The ten-year average change for AIBs in the 2nd quarter is -11.3-percent; this year it was lower at -6.5-percent. The market itself has decreased year over year, with shipments decreased to 14.8 million units, down 1.1 million units from this quarter last year.
The Jon Peddie Research's AIB report is available now in both electronic and hard copy editions. Included with this report is an Excel workbook with the data used to create the charts, the charts themselves, and supplemental information. Those interested in acquiring a copy can learn more about pricing here.
Here's a summary of the 2Q12 quarter in general:
* Total AIB shipments decreased this quarter, from the previous quarter, by 6.5-percent to 14.8 million units.
* AMD increased its market share to 40.3-percent, Nvidia's market share slipped but still retains a large majority at 59.3-percent.
* Year-to-year this quarter AIB shipments were down 7-percent.
