So AMD is suing Intel. First, I'd suggest reading through the 48-page complaint filed by AMD. Given that Vinney is in law school, I've seen a few of these things, but this one is surprisingly legible even for us non-legal types :)
I've known about this sort of stuff for quite some time, in fact, I'd say that out of the 48 pages AMD's legal team put together there's a lot missing. AMD told me that they aren't putting all cards on the table, but here are a couple of other things that I've seen personally:
I can't even begin to count the number of times where motherboard manufacturers have told me that they could not:
1) Send an AMD motherboard for review
2) Promote an AMD motherboard
3) Let us take pictures of an AMD motherboard
Out of fear of Intel retaliation. Remember the original Athlon days when no motherboard manufacturer would dare make a board for the K7? All of the frightened manufacturers were afraid of them losing their Intel chipset allocation if they supported the K7.
The same sort of stuff happened during the i820 days. Intel's first RDRAM based chipset was a complete flop, yet they offered no real SDRAM alternative. VIA did however, and Intel punished those manufacturers who didn't promote their i820 platforms or who too eagerly embraced VIA's solutions.
The list goes on and on.
What's my take on it? I'm all for competition based on technology and technological merit. Whenever Intel was faster we'd recommend them, and whenever AMD was faster, we'd do the same for them. Luckily, you all get it: AMD's market share among our readership is around 50% because you all generally purchase based on technology, performance and a lot of you are building your own systems, so these issues don't directly affect you. Obviously the rest of the market doesn't work that way, and I'd be glad to see that change; it benefits the end user and that's all I care about.
Right now AMD builds the best desktop CPUs, Intel offers the best value on dual core desktop CPUs and Intel has the best mobile chips. It would be nice if the entire market purchased based on those purely technological comparisons.
What will come of AMD's lawsuit? AMD told me that they are in this for the long haul and they aren't expecting to even go to trial in the next 18 months. I'm not sure what the end result will be, but I do know that things aren't entirely balanced today; and I am a fan of anything that drives innovation and produces better overall products for the end users.
One thing is for sure: I would hate for just AMD or Intel to exist, we need both and we need balance. If this lawsuit results in more balance and better competition based on technology rather than marketing ability, then more power to AMD.
Your thoughts?
I've known about this sort of stuff for quite some time, in fact, I'd say that out of the 48 pages AMD's legal team put together there's a lot missing. AMD told me that they aren't putting all cards on the table, but here are a couple of other things that I've seen personally:
I can't even begin to count the number of times where motherboard manufacturers have told me that they could not:
1) Send an AMD motherboard for review
2) Promote an AMD motherboard
3) Let us take pictures of an AMD motherboard
Out of fear of Intel retaliation. Remember the original Athlon days when no motherboard manufacturer would dare make a board for the K7? All of the frightened manufacturers were afraid of them losing their Intel chipset allocation if they supported the K7.
The same sort of stuff happened during the i820 days. Intel's first RDRAM based chipset was a complete flop, yet they offered no real SDRAM alternative. VIA did however, and Intel punished those manufacturers who didn't promote their i820 platforms or who too eagerly embraced VIA's solutions.
The list goes on and on.
What's my take on it? I'm all for competition based on technology and technological merit. Whenever Intel was faster we'd recommend them, and whenever AMD was faster, we'd do the same for them. Luckily, you all get it: AMD's market share among our readership is around 50% because you all generally purchase based on technology, performance and a lot of you are building your own systems, so these issues don't directly affect you. Obviously the rest of the market doesn't work that way, and I'd be glad to see that change; it benefits the end user and that's all I care about.
Right now AMD builds the best desktop CPUs, Intel offers the best value on dual core desktop CPUs and Intel has the best mobile chips. It would be nice if the entire market purchased based on those purely technological comparisons.
What will come of AMD's lawsuit? AMD told me that they are in this for the long haul and they aren't expecting to even go to trial in the next 18 months. I'm not sure what the end result will be, but I do know that things aren't entirely balanced today; and I am a fan of anything that drives innovation and produces better overall products for the end users.
One thing is for sure: I would hate for just AMD or Intel to exist, we need both and we need balance. If this lawsuit results in more balance and better competition based on technology rather than marketing ability, then more power to AMD.
Your thoughts?
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Andrew Guyton - Thursday, June 30, 2005 - link
Whoops- almost double post. Delete #49, please. Sorry.Andrew Guyton - Thursday, June 30, 2005 - link
I originally posted this on the comments for the Console article blog, but since it got taken down, I'm putting it up here. I hope you get worked out what happened- I liked that article a lot.-Anand, first of all, another great job on an article. I learned a lot of things I didn't know about the architectures and effective performance of those two upcoming consoles. I had, however, a question that is completely separate from the topic of the article. Have you ever thought about writing an article of Overclocking on a Budget? For example, you could put a system together with 1GB of OCZ Value VX RAM (with a motherboard that can provide it the voltage it needs, like the DFI NF4 Ultra-D), the Athlon 64 3200+ Venice (Capable of running at 2.8GHz on stock Vcore and stock air cooling, up from a standard 2.0GHz), and any video card you'd care to throw in. I decided to price all this on Newegg, and it came out as a little over $700. I'm guessing I'm not alone in wanting to see how this sort of system would compare to a FX-55 (or -57), "real" VX memory, and, again, whatever graphics card you wanted to use. Any thoughts, whether from you, Anand, or anyone else reading this?
Andrew Guyton - Thursday, June 30, 2005 - link
Anand, first of all, another great job on an article. I learned a lot of things I didn't know about the architectures and effective performance of those two upcoming consoles. I had, however, a question that is completely separate from the topic of the article. Have you ever thought about writing an article of Overclocking on a Budget? For example, you could put a system together with 1GB of OCZ Value VX RAM (with a motherboard that can provide it the voltage it needs, like the DFI NF4 Ultra-D), the Athlon 64 3200+ Venice (Capable of running at 2.8GHz on stock Vcore and stock air cooling, up from a standard 2.0GHz), and any video card you'd care to throw in. I decided to price all this on Newegg, and it came out as a little over $700. I'm guessing I'm not alone in wanting to see how this sort of system would compare to a FX-55 (or -57), "real" VX memory, and, again, whatever graphics card you wanted to use. Any thoughts, whether from you, Anand, or anyone else reading this?A5 - Thursday, June 30, 2005 - link
Not sure...must have gotten smacked down by Sony or MS...Randy - Thursday, June 30, 2005 - link
I was reading Part 2 of the PS3/360 article...I went to load page 3 and BAM! Gone.Then shortly after, there goes the blog.
And here I was salivating just waiting to read it.
I was wondering if Anand could tell us why it was pulled - I'm positive there is a good reason for it, I just want to know what the reason is.
Fred - Thursday, June 30, 2005 - link
one other thing, amd should have filed this lawsuit in Texas were i live (Los Fresnos) that way we can put everyone one of the CEO bastards on death Row! hehehehehehehe!Fred - Thursday, June 30, 2005 - link
first thing first i own 3 amd systems(2 754 and a 939)and sold my p4 system, why because amd kept on betting the intel system in gaming and photoshop. any how i hope amd really sticks it to Intel. i mean spank them HARDCORE. amd can then use the revenue to open up another fabrication plant to help produce more X2 chips and prices can come down. FRY intel amd. Fry them don't let them off the hook. if you dont they will contiue to bully you around, unless you throw down a smack down, then they will treat you a little better and they will be sneakier.get them....get them.... and don't let up!!!!!
Anonymous - Thursday, June 30, 2005 - link
blog can still be reached by going to:http://anandtech.com/weblog/comments.aspx?bid=229
first page is posted there
Alan - Thursday, June 30, 2005 - link
what was the blog? i only saw the articlesmn198 - Thursday, June 30, 2005 - link
Has anyone saved it? Would you be so kind as to email me it?