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NVIDIA To Exit Chipset Business

The rumor that we discussed a few months back is looking more real. Vigile writes "Once the darling of the enthusiast chipset market, NVIDIA has apparently decided to quit development of future chipsets for all platforms. This 'state of NVIDIA' editorial at PC Perspective first highlighted the fact that the company was backing away from its plans to develop a DMI-based chipset for Intel's Lynnfield processors due to legal pressure from Intel and debates over licensing restrictions. That effectively left NVIDIA out in the cold in terms of high-end chipsets, but even more interesting is the later revelation that NVIDIA has only one remaining chipset product to release, what we know as ION 2, and that it was mainly built for Apple's upcoming products. NVIDIA still plans to sell its current offerings, like MCP61 for AMD platforms and current generation ION for netbooks and nettops, but will focus solely on discrete graphics options after this final release."

6 of 185 comments (clear)

  1. This is False by Sycon · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.tomshardware.com/news/nvidia-gpu-graphics-chipset,8821.html They have explicitly stated they have no intention of leaving the chipset business.

  2. Not quite right... From Ken Brown at Nvidia... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Reported at HardOCP... http://www.hardocp.com/news/2009/10/08/nvidia_statement_on_chipset_business

    NVIDIA's Ken Brown wanted to give us NVIDIA's thoughts on the current state of its chipset business. So here it is in its full text.

    Hi,

    We've received a number of inquiries recently about NVIDIA's chipset (MCP) business. We'd like to set the record straight on current and future NVIDIA chipset activity.

    On Intel platforms, the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M/ION brands have enjoyed significant sales, as well as critical success. Customers including Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Acer, ASUS and others are continuing to incorporate GeForce 9400M and ION products in their current designs. There are many customers that have plans to use ION or GeForce 9400M chipsets for upcoming designs, as well.

    On AMD platforms, we continue to sell a higher quantity of chipsets than AMD itself. MCP61-based platforms continue to be extremely well positioned in the entry CPU segments where AMD CPUs are most competitive vs. Intel

    We will continue to innovate integrated solutions for Intel’s FSB architecture. We firmly believe that this market has a long healthy life ahead. But because of Intel’s improper claims to customers and the market that we aren’t licensed to the new DMI bus and its unfair business tactics, it is effectively impossible for us to market chipsets for future CPUs. So, until we resolve this matter in court next year, we’ll postpone further chipset investments for Intel DMI CPUs.

    Despite Intel's actions, we have innovative products that we are excited to introduce to the market in the months ahead. We know these products will bring with them some amazing breakthroughs that will surprise the industry, just as GeForce 9400M and ION have shaken up the industry this year.

    We expect our MCP business for both Intel and AMD to be strong well into the future.

    Let me know if you have any questions, and thanks for your interest.

    Best,

    Ken

  3. Re:This would be more interesting... by MrNemesis · · Score: 3, Informative
    --
    Moderation Total: -1 Troll, +3 Goat
  4. This is FUD and should be removed. by Zoson · · Score: 4, Informative

    nVidia has published an official response.
    http://hardocp.com/news/2009/10/08/nvidia_statement_on_chipset_business

  5. Re:Not Intel by ByOhTek · · Score: 4, Informative

    That's GPUs, not mobo chipsets.

    Any pretty much every manufacturer has had screwups. That being said, nVidia has made some nice performance chipsets in the past, and it's a shame to see them go. Really, for my experience, and in terms of reliability, they are have been the only company to produce chipsets that could compete with Intel.

    --
    Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
  6. You've been blinded by market speak. by pavon · · Score: 3, Informative

    The summary and the official response say the same damn thing. Furthermore, if you would have RTFA, you would know that it quotes the official statement that every one is posting, giving a paragraph by paragraph critique of how it does not refute anything, just tries to spin it nicely for the stockholders.

    NVIDIA currently has no plans to create any new AMD or Intel chipsets after the ION2. Period.