AMD confirms ATI acquisition

BWX · Jul 24, 2006, 11:22 AM

Source: The Inquirer
_________________

AMD CONFIRMED its acquisition of ATI this morning, three days after the
INQUIRER let the cat out of the bag.
While we doubted the chip-maker could afford to buy out the Canadian graphics chip firm, it turns out CEO Hector Ruiz went cap in hand to his bankers and borrowed a cool $2.5 billion.

Ruiz crowed the deal would "reinvent our industry," as he appeared in New York with ATI CEO Dave Orton. At 4.30AM? No wonder Dave Orton looks a bit tired.

AMD agreed to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of ATI for a combination of $4.2 billion in cash and 57 million shares of AMD common stock, based on the number of shares of ATI common stock outstanding on July 21, 2006.

The total comes to $5.4 billion.

AMD said the deal was 'unanimously approved' by the board of directors of each company, but it is still subject to ATI shareholder approval

Sonata · Jul 24, 2006, 11:56 AM

I like the paragraph from the Inquirer article before it about AMD needing to buy ATI to survive "The other option is to buy a team of engineers that produce world-class products, are battle tested, and have a track record of producing product on the same yearly beat Intel is aiming for. There are two of these in existence, ATI and Nvidia. Nvidia is too expensive, and has a culture that would mix with AMD like sand and Vaseline. That leaves ATI, undervalued and just as good."

I hope the ATI shareholders approve of the merger, and that it in turn benefits us consumers with more advanced tech that we just can't live without.

BWX · Jul 24, 2006, 11:58 AM

Their stock isn't looking good...

Dyre Straits · Jul 24, 2006, 12:04 PM

I know there's a lot left to be seen as to what it's going to become. But, I'm a little less enthusiastic about this merger. I'm not so sure I like the idea of any CPU maker owning the video card company. Doesn't matter which ones are involved. It just seems that it's going to be a bit more difficult for ATI to be unbiased in its support of Intel...which I'm more inclined to use than AMD. Maybe that clouds my own judgment, but, I'm trying to be unbiased.

YAYitsAndrew · Jul 24, 2006, 12:09 PM

now all they need to do is team with asus and i'll never need another company

BWX · Jul 24, 2006, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

I know there's a lot left to be seen as to what it's going to become. But, I'm a little less enthusiastic about this merger. I'm not so sure I like the idea of any CPU maker owning the video card company. Doesn't matter which ones are involved. It just seems that it's going to be a bit more difficult for ATI to be unbiased in its support of Intel...which I'm more inclined to use than AMD. Maybe that clouds my own judgment, but, I'm trying to be unbiased.

in a related story...
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/submit-news/112758-intel-pulls-ati-bus-license.html

In one of the articles I read it said that GFX GPU's are going to be a thing of the past.. and that these crazy mini-core CPU's are going to be fast enough that we won't need gfx cards.. Don't know if that's true or not but it is interesting.

(here it is)

Quote:

Now, if you add in GPU functionality to the cores, not a GPU on the die, but integrated into the x86 pipeline, you have something that can, on a command, eat a GPU for lunch. A very smart game developer told me that with one quarter of the raw power, a CPU can do the same real work as a GPU due to a variety of effects, memory scatter-gather being near the top of that list. The take home message is that a GPU is the king of graphics in todays world, but with the hard left turn Sun and Intel are taking, it will be the third nipple of the chip industry in no time.

Basically, GPUs are a dead end, and Intel is going to ram that home very soon. AMD knows this, ATI knows this, and most likely Nvidia knows this. AMD has to compete, if it doesn't, Intel will leave it in the dust, and the company will die. AMD can develop the talent internally to make that GPU functionality, hunt down all the patents, licensing, and all the minutia, and still start out a year behind Intel. That is if all goes perfectly, and the projects are started tomorrow.

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33219

That's nuts.

GNetX · Jul 24, 2006, 12:47 PM

They're losing the ATI name too - you'll be buying AMD-powered graphics cards soon! (quote from the AMD web site: "The combined company will operate as AMD").

My biggest concern is that ATI will head down a road of producing graphics cards optimised for AMD platforms, when the current clear winner in the CPU field is the Intel Core 2 Duo platform. Though upcoming products such as the R600 from ATI are well underway before this merger, the next get of GPUs from ATI might tell a different tale. Also, ATI has apparently just lost the licensing to build chipsets for the Intel platform so the likes of the x3200, which looks like a killer Conroe chipset from what I've read, will likely be the last.

We'll have to see how it pans out, but I hope that ATI will continue to produce kick-ass GPUs and not be tied to just AMD platforms. Unlikely, but I can still hope.

MitchRapp · Jul 24, 2006, 01:00 PM

I hope everything works out for my little canadian company... teamming up with germans can't hurt right? :P

I'm glad AMD cut their cpu prices down by like 50% ..... maybe they'll make ATI's gpu's drop a bit too so more people can afford nice cards............

jkayca2 · Jul 24, 2006, 01:55 PM

Great

More Canadian technology heading south.

Iroth · Jul 24, 2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkayca2

Great

More Canadian technology heading south.

Canadians have technology?

franguinho · Jul 24, 2006, 02:55 PM

i came back from a weekend at the beach to read this late rumour last night and some article thrashing it... only to find out this morning that its official!
lol
i hope this doesn't sink AMD... personally that's the combo i've been (happily) using the past few years, AMD + ATI so i'm pretty happy if it all works out!

BWX · Jul 24, 2006, 03:04 PM

Funny I have also used AMD and ATI exclusively for years.. but then I just got an Nvidia card a few months ago..

I am still a fan of AMD though... always seems to have the better price performance ratio, even if you need to find that "special" CPU that happens to OC very well.. But I always find it, because they always have one (or more).

-edit-
I should add.. I'm still an ATI fan too, especially the hardware.. just not thrilled with the software lately.

edperks · Jul 24, 2006, 03:17 PM

I hope everything works out, I like both companys and wish them a brite future!!

Lowfat · Jul 24, 2006, 03:19 PM

All i see is doom in the near future for ATI (or AMD if you will). 25% of ATIs revenue was from integrated video chipsets for Intel based systems. I highly doubt AMD is going to continue to supply the chipsets to Intel. And what about crossfire on Intel-based systems? I know like less than like 5% of their sales are crossfire, however its still another section of the market they could loose.

So unless AMD doesn't touch any of the day to day operations of ATI (which I highly doubt), I can't see things going well.

Lowfat · Jul 24, 2006, 03:23 PM

This was taking from a post on xtremesystems.org

'Confer Call:

*ATi Intel Chipset license expires Q4 2006 (AMD/ATi want to continue relationship, subject to Intel's decision*-)
*AMD encourages competition between Nvidia/ATi on all fronts (GPUs,chipsets, Torrenza)
*Plans to encorporate different aspects of GPUs on CPU die on platform dependant basis (mobile/desktop/server)
*Plans to encorporate better ways for gpu/cpu to best share workload per given apps through complete solutions (cpu/gpu/chipset)
*ATi chips planned to be fabbed at AMD in DISTANT future. AMD in-house fab capacity currently 100% full manufac CPUs.
*R600 GPU and RD600 Intel platform both on track for release in next 6 months
*ATi will focus on GPGPU uses for torrenza

*-Intel has announced plans not to renew ATi's chipset license.
__________________'

BWX · Jul 24, 2006, 03:59 PM

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33230

Merged AMD-ATI monster embarks on monopoly-busting

BEST MATES AMD and ATI held a conference call today in which the companies' biggest cheeses sought justify their new cohabitation.
..........
AMD confirmed that much of ATI's operation will be brought in-house, but AMD will remain, "committed to ATI's customers, employers and Canada," said Ruiz.
He added that he didn't expect lay-offs "in any significant numbers".
...............
The executives, Ruiz and ATI CEO Dave Orton, along with Dirk Meyer and chief AMD bean counter Bob Rivet were agreed the deal would provide better value to customers and shareholders in both companies. Bob said the merged company would be better positioned to achieve AMD's stated objective to "break the monopoly".
....................

Dave Orton said ATI would continue to deliver Intel chipsets for as long as its customer wanted it to

Matth · Jul 24, 2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWX

Dave Orton said ATI would continue to deliver Intel chipsets for as long as its customer wanted it to

Though the expiry of their Intel chipset bus licence will be a spanner in the works.

A CPUGPU for the future? - other than for laptops and multimedia HTPC systems, unconvinced... unless power efficiency is radically improved, heat dissipation would pose a serious limit on doing all this in one block.

Re-inventing the "mediaGX" with current technology may be possible. Maybe low end systems could have CPU, chipset and graphics all in a single package.

Anyway, looking around and evaluating further....

It seems logical for AMD to have their own chipset (as Intel do), and just as Intel CPU's are not always run on Intel chipsets, AMDs would not necessarily be used on AMD/ATI.

It leaves the other chipset makers in a similar position for the AMD platform as they are for the Intel, competing with the processor maker's chipset, while ATI is inevitably heading out of the Intel chipset arena.

dsdsdk · Jul 24, 2006, 05:37 PM

ATI’s strengths in graphics, chipsets..... chipsets?

ChrisW · Jul 24, 2006, 06:34 PM

Think of how fast graphics could be if it was integrated on the processor. Perhaps they could dedicate a core or two just for the graphics processor. I would expect a physics processor from AMD using ATI's technology.

My next chipset was going to be from ATI anyway as I am tired of nVidia's drivers crashing my computer. What they did to ULI was the last straw.

Erroneus · Jul 24, 2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsdsdk

ATI’s strengths in graphics, chipsets..... chipsets?

Ehm yeah? They make motherboards with their own chipsets on, you know?

ChrisW · Jul 24, 2006, 06:56 PM

The main reason why Intel usually wins the OEM contracts is because of their chipset. Not only is it very stable, but they can get a huge discount on both the CPU and their chipset. Now AMD can do the same. If they make a Centrino equivalent, this would provide lots of competition to Intel and help reduce prices.

Judas · Jul 24, 2006, 07:03 PM

IMO, ATI's amd chipsets are utterly beautiful, flawless. Course some Motherboard manufacturers shouldn't rush em out. (asus namely for thier mvp~ both r200 and r3200). Although with latest bios updates, the 3200 board works excellently, better by far then anything nvidia has to offer.

I never liked AMDs own chipsets.

PandaZ3 · Jul 24, 2006, 08:29 PM

I have not tried a ATI chipset, but that is a consideration. I have had good luck really with NFII and NF4 chipsets and I am really taken by Uli. (Wish ATI had aquired them now)

Anyway I hope it helps AMD. Were I to buy Conroe based parts for my next system it would be because of the competition Intel has recieved from AMD ...thereby causing Intel to produce a good product.

Retarp · Jul 24, 2006, 08:56 PM

For now this is still all speculation. ATI stockholders have yet to vote yea/nea on the merger.

Assuming the numbers stay the same, a 25% drop in revenue from no longer supporting Intel chips is going to hurt. At least they will have over a year to prepare. It looks like I'll be back on the AMD/ATI bandwagon if I can't get an ATI/AMD chipset for the Intel platform. I've used 2 motherboards with ATI chipsets and both have worked wonderfully.

Can you imagine tri, quad, or even a quintuple core processor with the graphics incorperated running at 4Ghz

The_Neon_Cowboy · Jul 24, 2006, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWX

Their stock isn't looking good...

it won't ausition = stock price drop, it nomarl as the comany will be dumping a
load of cash and resturctureing... meaning cost, cost, cost... despite the end result

Tipstaff · Jul 25, 2006, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Neon_Cowboy

it won't ausition = stock price drop, it nomarl as the comany will be dumping a
load of cash and resturctureing... meaning cost, cost, cost... despite the end result

Not to mention that AMD will have to recover the $2.4 Billion dollars they borrowed, and they will need to pay back a large share before the next financial report. That means they will start selling off properties, both physical land, and internal products, that they really don't need anymore, or ones that they can spare to part with in order to recover that money... fast.

Anyways, I'm trying to stay out of this one. People keep saying that AMD buying ATI is a great thing, but they are not looking at the whole picture. For me to sit here and explain why this really isn't a long term good thing would take hours, and I haven't the time to do that. It's great for ATI now, and great for AMD in the long run, but for everyone else it's not.

BTW, here's something that pissed me off:

"AMD confirmed that much of ATI's operation will be brought in-house, but AMD will remain, "committed to ATI's customers, employers and Canada," said Ruiz." OK, if you bring ATIs business in house, which is in a different country, how are you remaining commited to Canada, and the thousands of ATI employees (which you AMD didn't mention, btw) that live here? Hmm?

Zardon · Jul 25, 2006, 08:01 AM

Check out our interview regarding this, just up

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/other-tech-news/112875-dh-interview-amds-jon-carvill-regarding-amd-takeover.html

pr0digal jenius · Jul 25, 2006, 09:25 AM

looks like things will be great for them....till intel says otherwise

LHC · Jul 25, 2006, 06:01 PM

Hmm.. seems I'm not gunna upgrade my comp for a looooong time. I just wanna see how this thing goes over before I go buying products. Although I am an AMD/ATI fan, I'd like things to "calm down" a bit before I go buying new things

Tipstaff · Jul 26, 2006, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LHC

Hmm.. seems I'm not gunna upgrade my comp for a looooong time. I just wanna see how this thing goes over before I go buying products. Although I am an AMD/ATI fan, I'd like things to "calm down" a bit before I go buying new things

I've heard this same response about 20 times these last 2 days, and I keep having to reassure people that whatever is out there now, and whatever is planned for the next year or so is still a viable product. There's no real reason to hold off purchasing anything that is out there now. Realistically, things will not change "drastically" anytime soon as far as hardware goes. Company wise yes, as there is a lot of a capital that AMD need to recover quickly, and you will see AMD selling off some ATI assests that are no longer need (such as land, and anything outside of what they need). ATI has a tone of money already tied up in developing the R600, so you can bet that those products are on schedule, as will be any chipset product. Same goes for AMD, and their products. Where things will get interesting is after the first year.

Jul 24, 2006, 11:22 AM	#1
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	AMD confirms ATI acquisition Source: The Inquirer _________________ AMD CONFIRMED its acquisition of ATI this morning, three days after the INQUIRER let the cat out of the bag. While we doubted the chip-maker could afford to buy out the Canadian graphics chip firm, it turns out CEO Hector Ruiz went cap in hand to his bankers and borrowed a cool $2.5 billion. Ruiz crowed the deal would "reinvent our industry," as he appeared in New York with ATI CEO Dave Orton. At 4.30AM? No wonder Dave Orton looks a bit tired. AMD agreed to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of ATI for a combination of $4.2 billion in cash and 57 million shares of AMD common stock, based on the number of shares of ATI common stock outstanding on July 21, 2006. The total comes to $5.4 billion. AMD said the deal was 'unanimously approved' by the board of directors of each company, but it is still subject to ATI shareholder approval __________________ Last edited by Asmoday; Jul 24, 2006 at 11:30 AM.

Jul 24, 2006, 11:58 AM	Thread Starter #3
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Their stock isn't looking good... __________________

Jul 24, 2006, 12:09 PM	#5
YAYitsAndrew Anti-Piracy Poster Boy Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 2,605 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	now all they need to do is team with asus and i'll never need another company __________________ "It is because the resistance to paying for copyrighted material, although often characterized as arising from a supposed technical burden or principled concern for the public interest, arises rather from exactly the same segment of the brain that is dominant in shoplifters." - Mark Helprin, Digital Barbarism In other words, it's never okay to steal even if you think you have a good reason! www.yayitsandrew.com

Jul 24, 2006, 12:47 PM	#7
GNetX DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Nottingham, UK Posts: 44 Rep Power: 0	They're losing the ATI name too - you'll be buying AMD-powered graphics cards soon! (quote from the AMD web site: "The combined company will operate as AMD"). My biggest concern is that ATI will head down a road of producing graphics cards optimised for AMD platforms, when the current clear winner in the CPU field is the Intel Core 2 Duo platform. Though upcoming products such as the R600 from ATI are well underway before this merger, the next get of GPUs from ATI might tell a different tale. Also, ATI has apparently just lost the licensing to build chipsets for the Intel platform so the likes of the x3200, which looks like a killer Conroe chipset from what I've read, will likely be the last. We'll have to see how it pans out, but I hope that ATI will continue to produce kick-ass GPUs and not be tied to just AMD platforms. Unlikely, but I can still hope. __________________ Intel Core2Duo E6600 (currently @ stock) // BFG nForce 680i // 4GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer 6400 400 GB SATA-II, Raid 0 // 320GB Seagate 7200.10 Backup // GeForce 8800 GTS Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty // ThermalTake Shark Black // ViewSonic VX924 19" 4ms TFT //Windows Vista Home Premium

Jul 24, 2006, 01:55 PM	#9
jkayca2 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 379 Rep Power: 0	Great More Canadian technology heading south. __________________ [color=Blue]PNY Verto GeFORCE 6800GT AGP 256MB DDR3 - 1 GHz Win XP Pro (SP 2) - Directx 9.0c Intel P4 2.8C GHz - Abit IS7 Mobo 2x512 + 2x1024 MB PC 3200 DDR WD 74 GB Raptor + WD 120 GB HD with 8 MB Cache Hercules Gamesurround Fortissmo 7.1 Logitech Z5500 Speaker System Leadtek WinFast TV 2000 XP Deluxe LG GSA-4160B DVD Burner Logitech LX700 Keyb, mouse combo Mitsubishi DiamondPro 2070SB 22" CRT[/color]

Jul 24, 2006, 11:56 AM	#2
Sonata DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hot as hell in summer Posts: 284 Rep Power: 0	I like the paragraph from the Inquirer article before it about AMD needing to buy ATI to survive "The other option is to buy a team of engineers that produce world-class products, are battle tested, and have a track record of producing product on the same yearly beat Intel is aiming for. There are two of these in existence, ATI and Nvidia. Nvidia is too expensive, and has a culture that would mix with AMD like sand and Vaseline. That leaves ATI, undervalued and just as good." I hope the ATI shareholders approve of the merger, and that it in turn benefits us consumers with more advanced tech that we just can't live without.

Jul 24, 2006, 01:00 PM	#8
MitchRapp a.k.a. pepiman Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 998 Rep Power: 51 System Specs	I hope everything works out for my little canadian company... teamming up with germans can't hurt right? :P I'm glad AMD cut their cpu prices down by like 50% ..... maybe they'll make ATI's gpu's drop a bit too so more people can afford nice cards............

Jul 24, 2006, 02:55 PM	#11
franguinho Brazilian Fool Join Date: May 2002 Location: São Paulo Posts: 3,380 Rep Power: 0	i came back from a weekend at the beach to read this late rumour last night and some article thrashing it... only to find out this morning that its official! lol i hope this doesn't sink AMD... personally that's the combo i've been (happily) using the past few years, AMD + ATI so i'm pretty happy if it all works out! __________________ The Aliens mostly come out at night... mostly...

Jul 24, 2006, 03:04 PM	Thread Starter #12
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Funny I have also used AMD and ATI exclusively for years.. but then I just got an Nvidia card a few months ago.. I am still a fan of AMD though... always seems to have the better price performance ratio, even if you need to find that "special" CPU that happens to OC very well.. But I always find it, because they always have one (or more). -edit- I should add.. I'm still an ATI fan too, especially the hardware.. just not thrilled with the software lately. __________________ Last edited by BWX; Jul 24, 2006 at 03:21 PM.

Jul 24, 2006, 03:17 PM	#13
edperks HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 780 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I hope everything works out, I like both companys and wish them a brite future!!

Jul 24, 2006, 03:19 PM	#14
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,254 Rep Power: 101	All i see is doom in the near future for ATI (or AMD if you will). 25% of ATIs revenue was from integrated video chipsets for Intel based systems. I highly doubt AMD is going to continue to supply the chipsets to Intel. And what about crossfire on Intel-based systems? I know like less than like 5% of their sales are crossfire, however its still another section of the market they could loose. So unless AMD doesn't touch any of the day to day operations of ATI (which I highly doubt), I can't see things going well. __________________

Jul 24, 2006, 03:23 PM	#15
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,254 Rep Power: 101	This was taking from a post on xtremesystems.org 'Confer Call: ATi Intel Chipset license expires Q4 2006 (AMD/ATi want to continue relationship, subject to Intel's decision-) AMD encourages competition between Nvidia/ATi on all fronts (GPUs,chipsets, Torrenza) Plans to encorporate different aspects of GPUs on CPU die on platform dependant basis (mobile/desktop/server) Plans to encorporate better ways for gpu/cpu to best share workload per given apps through complete solutions (cpu/gpu/chipset) ATi chips planned to be fabbed at AMD in DISTANT future. AMD in-house fab capacity currently 100% full manufac CPUs. R600 GPU and RD600 Intel platform both on track for release in next 6 months ATi will focus on GPGPU uses for torrenza *-Intel has announced plans not to renew ATi's chipset license. __________________' __________________

Jul 24, 2006, 03:59 PM	Thread Starter #16
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	More INQ http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33230 Merged AMD-ATI monster embarks on monopoly-busting BEST MATES AMD and ATI held a conference call today in which the companies' biggest cheeses sought justify their new cohabitation. .......... AMD confirmed that much of ATI's operation will be brought in-house, but AMD will remain, "committed to ATI's customers, employers and Canada," said Ruiz. He added that he didn't expect lay-offs "in any significant numbers". ............... The executives, Ruiz and ATI CEO Dave Orton, along with Dirk Meyer and chief AMD bean counter Bob Rivet were agreed the deal would provide better value to customers and shareholders in both companies. Bob said the merged company would be better positioned to achieve AMD's stated objective to "break the monopoly". .................... Dave Orton said ATI would continue to deliver Intel chipsets for as long as its customer wanted it to __________________

Jul 24, 2006, 05:37 PM	#18
dsdsdk DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Denmark, CPH. Posts: 586 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	ATI’s strengths in graphics, chipsets..... chipsets? __________________ No more Kitty!

Jul 24, 2006, 06:34 PM	#19
ChrisW DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 332 Rep Power: 0	Think of how fast graphics could be if it was integrated on the processor. Perhaps they could dedicate a core or two just for the graphics processor. I would expect a physics processor from AMD using ATI's technology. My next chipset was going to be from ATI anyway as I am tired of nVidia's drivers crashing my computer. What they did to ULI was the last straw.

Jul 24, 2006, 06:56 PM	#21
ChrisW DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 332 Rep Power: 0	The main reason why Intel usually wins the OEM contracts is because of their chipset. Not only is it very stable, but they can get a huge discount on both the CPU and their chipset. Now AMD can do the same. If they make a Centrino equivalent, this would provide lots of competition to Intel and help reduce prices.

Jul 24, 2006, 08:29 PM	#23
PandaZ3 HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cornelius, Oregon Posts: 419 Rep Power: 0	I have not tried a ATI chipset, but that is a consideration. I have had good luck really with NFII and NF4 chipsets and I am really taken by Uli. (Wish ATI had aquired them now) Anyway I hope it helps AMD. Were I to buy Conroe based parts for my next system it would be because of the competition Intel has recieved from AMD ...thereby causing Intel to produce a good product. __________________ It has to be Plugged In? To electricity? Video cards in house, 5770, 4650, HD 3870, X1950 XTX, X1900 XTX, X1900 XT and X1900 Crossfire, 2 X1800 XT's, X850 Pro, X800 Pro, AIW 9600XT, 9600 Pro, 9550 SE, 9200, 7000. XFX 6800 GS

Jul 24, 2006, 08:56 PM	#24
Retarp DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 119 Rep Power: 0	For now this is still all speculation. ATI stockholders have yet to vote yea/nea on the merger. Assuming the numbers stay the same, a 25% drop in revenue from no longer supporting Intel chips is going to hurt. At least they will have over a year to prepare. It looks like I'll be back on the AMD/ATI bandwagon if I can't get an ATI/AMD chipset for the Intel platform. I've used 2 motherboards with ATI chipsets and both have worked wonderfully. Can you imagine tri, quad, or even a quintuple core processor with the graphics incorperated running at 4Ghz

Jul 25, 2006, 08:01 AM	#27
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Check out our interview regarding this, just up http://www.hardwareheaven.com/other-tech-news/112875-dh-interview-amds-jon-carvill-regarding-amd-takeover.html

Jul 25, 2006, 09:25 AM	#28
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	looks like things will be great for them....till intel says otherwise

Jul 25, 2006, 06:01 PM	#29
LHC Stingy and Stubborn Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,325 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Hmm.. seems I'm not gunna upgrade my comp for a looooong time. I just wanna see how this thing goes over before I go buying products. Although I am an AMD/ATI fan, I'd like things to "calm down" a bit before I go buying new things __________________