You heard it here first, guys! I just learned that NVIDIA and Intel have inked a deal to allow NVIDIA to develop chipsets for the Intel platforms. Here is a link to the PR news on Yahoo.com. Here’s what I can tell you so far, based on the info in the press release and other information I was given. First, this is a broad cross-license, which means we will be seeing multiple chipsets from NVIDIA’s nForce line for Intel’s platforms, probably including the high-end markets as well as the integrated graphics market. *Edit* Here is a statement we got on the subject of segments for this new license:
“We intend to build products in every segment of the industry where we can add value with our technology. This includes SLI platforms, as well as desktops, laptops, media centers, workstations and servers. We do not have any product specifics to announce at this time.”
From this statement we some interesting information; the scope that NVIDIA wants to cover is quite large. Also, those of you that once thought of SLI systems only going to be on the AMD platforms, now have an answer to that question (if we forget about the Tumwater solution that was a lot slower than the NF4 solution).
I also learned that NVIDIA should have product in the market by Q1 of 2005, meaning that we only have a few short months to wait before product is giong to be released. No doubt this means that NVIDIA has been in development of nForce products for the Intel platform for some time, making all those rumors we’ve heard validated. This is exciting news for the industry, and may just be the shot in the arm that Intel needs to help them get back on track for the PC enthusiast market.
The full PR is posted below, and I welcome your comments in this thread in our forums.
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA – News) and Intel Corporation today announced that the companies have signed a broad, multi-year patent cross-license agreement spanning multiple product lines and product generations. Additionally, the companies signed a multi-year chipset agreement for NVIDIA to license Intel’s front-side bus technology. This will enable NVIDIA to deliver the NVIDIA nForce(TM) platform technology on Intel-based systems.(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020613/NVDALOGO ) “Today’s agreements are significant for both companies and, more importantly, represent a win for our mutual customers who now have more choices for enhancing the PC experience,” said Louis Burns, Intel vice president and general manager, Desktop Products Group.
“NVIDIA and Intel are working together to enhance the end-user computing experience,” added Jen-Hsun Huang, president and chief executive officer of NVIDIA. “NVIDIA’s product portfolio offers exciting technology options to Intel customers, including the NVIDIA nForce platform and the PCI Express-based SLI graphics technology solution.”
About Intel
Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking, and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
About NVIDIA
NVIDIA Corporation is a worldwide leader in graphics and digital media processors. The Company’s products enhance the end-user experience on consumer and professional computing devices. NVIDIA graphics processing units (GPUs), media and communications processors (MCPs), and wireless media processors (WMPs) have broad market reach and are incorporated into a variety of platforms, including consumer and enterprise PCs, notebooks, workstations, PDAs, mobile phones, and video game consoles. NVIDIA is headquartered in Santa Clara, California and employs more than 2,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the Company’s Web site at www.nvidia.com.
Certain statements in this press release including, but not limited to, statements as to benefits to Intel customers as a result of the patent cross-license, enhancement of the computing experience and delivery of the NVIDIA nForce technology platform to Intel-based systems are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the outcome of any disputes regarding intellectual property, our ability to safeguard our intellectual property, the impact of technological advances, compatibility of products, reliance on third-party manufacturers, manufacturing delays, general industry trends including cyclical trends in the PC and semiconductor industries, the impact of competitive products and pricing alternatives, changes in industry standards and interfaces, market acceptance of our products, our dependence on third-party developers and publishers and other risks detailed and from time to time in the NVIDIA reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 25, 2004 and other filings made from time to time with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. NVIDIA disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
