Intel to license AMD Radeon IP

[Dbiggs9]

Very heavy talk about this on many AMD stock forums Stock up 10% today. Anyone have any trusted info?
http://www.game-debate.com/news/219...eal-to-use-radeon-gpus-in-next-gen-intel-cpus

 

[alucasa]

It is possible.

Intel's iGPU is fine for office use and light gaming. But they've struggled to do cost-effective higher end iGPU. They do have impressive Iris iGPU but they tend to cost a fair bit. Its cost doesn't justify the performance.

But I am really skeptical about the validity of this possible FUD.

 

[64K]

This speculation has been around for a while. It could help AMD short term but could hurt them long term. Also Intel could be using these talks as leverage to negotiate better terms with Nvidia. Intel's licensing deal with Nvidia expires next year.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/3961087-amds-reported-licensing-deal-intel-gives

 

[qubit]

I don't think Intel need AMD or NVIDIA to build a decent GPU if they want to.

 

[chaosmassive]

Intel's licensing deal with Nvidia expires next year.

if I remember correctly, is that 6 years cross licensing with 1.5 billion payment to settle all legal disputes?

I don't think Intel need AMD or NVIDIA to build a decent GPU if they want to.

the problem is intel have limited experience in making GPU uarch, thats why Intel need access to Nvidia IP

 

[alucasa]

Intel HD has come a long way. Having used Intel HD since Sandy Bridge era in laptops, it has really come a long way.

But the thing is that games demand more power as well, so Intel HD's kinda stuck in a rock and hard place, unable to get out where there is sunshine.

 

[Dbiggs9]

I got my 7500 shares holding out till late 2017, sold most of my green team last week

 

[Bill_Bright]

This is an interesting twist to the "coming around full circle" routine. Advance Micro Devices (later just AMD) got their big break over 25 years ago when IBM demanded they have a second factory source for the Intel processors going into the original IBM PC. So Intel licensed Advanced Micro Devices to produce Intel processors.

I don't see this as a good deal for us consumers. Any time competitors join forces (whether through buyouts, hostile takeovers or partnership agreements), consumers end up paying more (and often get less).

 

[cdawall]

I don't see this as a good deal for us consumers. Any time competitors join forces (whether through buyouts, hostile takeovers or partnership agreements), consumers end up paying more (and often get less).

I would be worried if it wasn't just an iGPU. They aren't agreeing to make the same CPU.

 

[RejZoR]

Intel had licensed PowerVR GPU's before for low end GMA chips (GMA 500/600/3600 series).

 

[Bill_Bright]

I would be worried if it wasn't just an iGPU. They aren't agreeing to make the same CPU.

It still results in a lack of competition. Competition is not just about costs to consumers. Competition drives R&D and advances in technologies so one competitor can stay ahead of the others becoming the choice of consumers. A lack of competition reduces choices for consumers. Fewer choices lead to monopolies and those are never good for consumers. We've seen this over and over again. For example, in the airline, fuels, and pharmaceutical industries, and on Wall Street.

 

[qubit]

the problem is intel have limited experience in making GPU uarch, thats why Intel need access to Nvidia IP

Sure, I guess I should clarify is that what I mean is that they have the corporate resources to build a first class GPU team if they want to. Buying in IP from AMD/NVIDIA is one way to do it, but I think they would also end up hiring GPU experts (quite possibly poaching them from AMD/NVIDIA) and also train up their own engineers.

From what I read those IRIS Pro integrated graphics are already pretty good, helping to strengthen this viewpoint.

 

[Dbiggs9]

Intel is a sinking ship if they don't get a stronger APU/IGPU a damn SOC Solution for the future as this is the future of computing for 2020+ SoC's will take over as IOT will demand it.

 

[hat]

Well, Intel tried entering the mobile market and pretty much failed. Leave it to mobile manufacturers to make that stuff. As for the iGPU... it has its uses. For how long have we been saying iGPU isn't for anything serious? Forever. At least the newest ones are viable options for HTPC. You just can't get good results doing graphics intensive stuff with an iGPU, anyone who knows computers knows this.

I see only one reason why Intel would do this... they want a piece of that mobile pie.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I don't think Intel need AMD or NVIDIA to build a decent GPU if they want to.

Intel needs AMD/NVIDIA licenses. It is likely cheaper for Intel to stop making Intel HD GPUs (they can fire all their architects) and just go full Radeon which leaves the 3D/2D licensing to AMD to duke out with NVIDIA. Intel gets what they need (respectable GPUs), AMD gets what they need (cash flow), and NVIDIA just gets shafted. Like Microsoft keeping Apple afloat in the 90s, it is in Intel's best interest to keep AMD afloat now. NVIDIA needs AMD to survive as much as Intel does so AMD will be able to continue to negotiate licenses with NVIDIA.


I think the main motivation is likely cable cutters. There's millions of TVs out there that are going to need streaming capabilities and Intel is doing a crappy job in that market right now. Having a good GPU would go a long way to proliferating that market.

Additionally, CPU design has clearly hit a wall for Intel because of the lack of process improvements. Intel likely wants to compensate by selling gaming APUs like AMD is definitely going to do with Zen. Intel sees cooperation as a way to stem the Zen flood.

 

[CoD511]

I don't see any Intel & Nvidia coming to terms for a licensing agreement due to the fact, it'd make $1.5 billion from 6 years ago look like nothing. Nvidia had a blazing year and is extremely highly valued, in a market much larger than it previously was as gaming becomes increasingly more pervasive throughout the world. Nvidia aren't bleeding for cash either. If Intel can gather the necessities it needs from AMD whom needs the finance badly still, then they can get what they need and at a far lower cost (in cash and value even if it's a significant figure, as it'd be nowhere near as significant as Nvidia's figure or terms tied).

 

[qubit]

AMD gets what they need (cash flow), and NVIDIA just gets shafted.

Why did this give me a guilty feeling of satisfaction?

Great explanation as always and please note my rather more basic clarification in post 12, complementing yours.

 

[natr0n]

Story of the year right here.

This is fucking awesome.

 

[Dbiggs9]

http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/...edium=feed&utm_source=yahoo-2-news&yptr=yahoo

Wallstreet does not bet big on rumors there might be something real here
Also if you look at AMD IR they did mention they have a agreement with Intel listed as confidential

 

[Recon-UK]

Intel getting lazy, saying that look at the 7700k lmao.

 

[thesmokingman]

Very heavy talk about this on many AMD stock forums Stock up 10% today. Anyone have any trusted info?
http://www.game-debate.com/news/219...eal-to-use-radeon-gpus-in-next-gen-intel-cpus

Intel's license with Nv is expiring soon. This rumor is pretty old, and the fact is Intel do have to license something and they have not gotten very far with Nv IP. Thus the rumors for the last year are coming to a head as the deadline looms.

http://investor.nvidia.com/secfiling.cfm?filingid=1193125-11-5134&cik=1045810

 

[dorsetknob]

The Way i See it
Intel need to Support AMD in A non CPU competitive Way ( helps keep AMD Alive so Intel does not fall Victim to Monopoly lawsuits ect Regarding CPU's)
Intel Need a Competitive AMD in the Graphics Market to Balance the Nvidia Graphics Business and the potential of a Nvidia Monopoly

This News if true Enable's Intel to play the Graphics market to its Corporate Advantage

 

[Recon-UK]

Well if intel can't give us good CPU's after the 6700K, may aswell look to AMD to push them forwards.. lol.

 

[thesmokingman]

The Way i See it
Intel need to Support AMD in A non CPU competitive Way ( helps keep AMD Alive so Intel does not fall Victim to Monopoly lawsuits ect Regarding CPU's)
Intel Need a Competitive AMD in the Graphics Market to Balance the Nvidia Graphics Business and the potential of a Nvidia Monopoly

This News if true Enable's Intel to play the Graphics market to its Corporate Advantage

Antitrust makes strange bedfellows...? It does make sense doesn't it?

 

[FordGT90Concept]

http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/...edium=feed&utm_source=yahoo-2-news&yptr=yahoo

Speculation that Intel will use AMD's GPU's in its processors is probably unfounded. The most likely scenario is that a deal between AMD and Intel is simply a replacement for the NVIDIA deal.

Sadly, they're probably right. Intel will keep producing the HD line of GPUs but it will be licensed through AMD instead of NVIDIA. In other words, just legalese.

AMD investors are happy because the transaction likely involved cash.

Intel can't expect a fair deal from NVIDIA on this matter.