NVIDIA Awards Next-Generation GeForce GPU Manufacturing to IBM

Zardon · Mar 26, 2003, 09:52 PM

IBM and NVIDIA has announced that the two companies have formed a multi-year strategic alliance under which IBM will manufacture NVIDIA's next-generation GeForce graphics processing units (GPUs). NVIDIA's GPUs require the most sophisticated process technologies available to manufacture.

As part of the agreement, NVIDIA will gain access to IBM's comprehensive suite of foundry services and leading-edge manufacturing technologies, including power-efficient copper wiring, and a roadmap that leads to 65nm (nanometer; a billionth of a meter) in the next several years.

IBM plans to begin manufacturing the next generation GeForce graphics processor this summer at IBM's state-of-the-art 300mm plant in East Fishkill, N.Y. The new IBM $2.5 billion chip-making facility combines, for the first time anywhere, IBM chip-making breakthroughs such as copper interconnects, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) transistors and low-k dielectric insulation on 300mm wafers. The new facility began operation last year, and will ramp up in capacity throughout 2003.

Beyond the chip manufacturing technology, IBM also offers an advanced automated management system that not only controls production on the factory floor, but provides a connection for customer and supplier systems and processes, allowing closer integration across the supply chain. IBM's automated management system provides NVIDIA with opportunities ranging from improved operation to greater efficiency and competitive advantage, while using e-business techniques to adapt to real-time, on-demand influences from the marketplace.

Desert_Siege · Mar 27, 2003, 06:51 AM

j/k....lol. I had to throw that one in there. I wish them the best, but I do believe I am firmly in the ATI camp now.

~~JAV~~ · Mar 27, 2003, 08:39 AM

To me this is HUGE news. IBM doesn't mess around. They mean business & they take care of business. Intel, AMD, nVidia, ATi, HP, Sun, etc. all take a back seat to the inhouse tech & mfg abilities of IBM. From the idea in the techs head, to the product in the customers hand > IBM has no equal, IMO.

If they have a hand in nForce chips too ... OMG! This could really put a hurting on the Taiwan mfgs. nVidia is with *the* big dog now & better watch out or they'll get gobbled up.

I've kinda been looking for a workstation graphics card from IBM since the 3DLabs P-10, they'll have the Quadras to 'tinker' w/now.

[COLOR=blue]BIG BLUE[/COLOR] rolls onward.

BWX · Mar 27, 2003, 09:14 AM

I've driven through Fishkill NY many times- Wow, Nvidia GPU's being made there, cool.

Mar 26, 2003, 09:52 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	NVIDIA Awards Next-Generation GeForce GPU Manufacturing to IBM IBM and NVIDIA has announced that the two companies have formed a multi-year strategic alliance under which IBM will manufacture NVIDIA's next-generation GeForce graphics processing units (GPUs). NVIDIA's GPUs require the most sophisticated process technologies available to manufacture. As part of the agreement, NVIDIA will gain access to IBM's comprehensive suite of foundry services and leading-edge manufacturing technologies, including power-efficient copper wiring, and a roadmap that leads to 65nm (nanometer; a billionth of a meter) in the next several years. IBM plans to begin manufacturing the next generation GeForce graphics processor this summer at IBM's state-of-the-art 300mm plant in East Fishkill, N.Y. The new IBM $2.5 billion chip-making facility combines, for the first time anywhere, IBM chip-making breakthroughs such as copper interconnects, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) transistors and low-k dielectric insulation on 300mm wafers. The new facility began operation last year, and will ramp up in capacity throughout 2003. Beyond the chip manufacturing technology, IBM also offers an advanced automated management system that not only controls production on the factory floor, but provides a connection for customer and supplier systems and processes, allowing closer integration across the supply chain. IBM's automated management system provides NVIDIA with opportunities ranging from improved operation to greater efficiency and competitive advantage, while using e-business techniques to adapt to real-time, on-demand influences from the marketplace.

Mar 27, 2003, 06:51 AM	#2
Desert_Siege Professional Slacker Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: KY Posts: 274 Rep Power: 0	Did they also allocate manufacture of their new cooling to Hoover or Eureka? j/k....lol. I had to throw that one in there. I wish them the best, but I do believe I am firmly in the ATI camp now.

Mar 27, 2003, 09:14 AM	#4
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	I've driven through Fishkill NY many times- Wow, Nvidia GPU's being made there, cool. __________________

Mar 27, 2003, 08:39 AM	#3
~~JAV~~ Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: California, USA Posts: 283 Rep Power: 0	To me this is HUGE news. IBM doesn't mess around. They mean business & they take care of business. Intel, AMD, nVidia, ATi, HP, Sun, etc. all take a back seat to the inhouse tech & mfg abilities of IBM. From the idea in the techs head, to the product in the customers hand > IBM has no equal, IMO. If they have a hand in nForce chips too ... OMG! This could really put a hurting on the Taiwan mfgs. nVidia is with the big dog now & better watch out or they'll get gobbled up. I've kinda been looking for a workstation graphics card from IBM since the 3DLabs P-10, they'll have the Quadras to 'tinker' w/now. [COLOR=blue]BIG BLUE[/COLOR] rolls onward.