Intel Arc Board Partners are Reportedly Stopping Production, Encountering Quality Issues

[Bomby569]

For as long as they put financial guys in top level technical positions the results will always be the same. AMD and nvidia both have Lisa and Mr. Elon-wannabe Huang (ironically, relatives), but those guys are engineers first and then good businespeople (did that come PC enough?).

Intel on the other hand does the opposite. Put some big duck swingers with attitude and see the results. I honestly wonder how their board allows for this? It looks to me that the board is none the wiser.

Gelsinger is an engineer

 

[zlobby]

Gelsinger is an engineer

And how did it go for them?

 

[Bomby569]

And how did it go for them?

I don't know the man, but i think he is worthless, not so much because of the CPU's, the legacy he got was a disaster, but on the GPU's, it was a complete shitshow of mismanagement. But he is an engineer in the field he is leading, not somenone from finance or any other unrelated field.

 

[stimpy88]

And how did it go for them?

Brian Krzanich hired Raja, not Gelsinger. So this project is all Krzanich's fault, as he should have been able to see through Mr. Smoke & Mirrors from the start.

I'd argue that Gelsinger is correcting Krzanich's mistake right now, and I will be expecting to see Mr Smoke & Mirrors fired, sorry, sent on a long holiday sometime soon.

 

[efikkan]

There is so much negativity and (as the Germans would say) schadenfreude both here and elsewhere, so people don't want a third player in the GPU market?

I really hope Intel are not dragging their heels, hoping they can patch up drivers and people will overlook the shortcomings. Once AMD and Nvidia launches their next gen, these will only look weaker. So assuming there is no yield issue (defective dies etc.), and I expect them to have several hundred thousands of these ready, they should do the following:
Change course and rebrand these as "Arc Alchemist BETA", slash the price in two, and be upfront with this being an "unpolished" product. This would change the public opinion on these inferior products and turn it into something positive. The alternative would probably sell these for cheap to OEMs, which doesn't sound more profitable anyways.

and Vega 56 atleast was a superior price/performance card compared to Nvidia's equivalent, yes the 64 was not worth what they asked sure but the 56 was a fine option.

so I never understood or understand this retroactive negativity it gets.

What? Vega 56/64 was a "disaster" for AMD. While Vega 56 slightly outperformed GTX 1070 and Vega 64 matched GTX 1080, they had many problems;
- Vega 56 cost $500 and Vega 64 $700 at launch (with that $100 game bundle gimmick, and liquid cooler for Vega 64), compared to $380 for GTX 1070 and $500 for GTX 1080 (and the Nvidia cards were even obtainable below MSRP). AMD eventually released them without the game bundle at $400/$500, but those were very hard to find. And even then, GTX 1070/1080 still had a better price/performance ratio.
- The power draw were horrible.
- These cards were really hard to find, AMD didn't make many of them as HBM was in short supply and very overpriced, resulting in AMD not earning much on these.

Edit: Typo

 

[Bomby569]

and Vega 64 matched Vega 64

True. Now finally there is something i think we can all agree.

 

[Tropick]

This. At a point of investment, it hurts less to do something rather than do nothing, and honestly, no one can expect a start where things work out immediately on the first try. Nvidia's terrible Riva 128 would be a good example.

Right? I know a lot of people have been pissed at the launch issues but honestly I don't know what everyone expected. This is a new industry they're launching in to, there's going to be some inevitable growing pains.

The problem for me is how wishy-washy they're being post-launch. They're absolutely destroying consumer goodwill with this sheepish response to the issues DG128 has. It makes them seem like they never really cared about it that much in the first place are being too willing to just abandon it. They either needed to be honest with their customers during the development process and make sure everybody knew this was a moonshot type launch and to brace for impact, or get the hype train rolling (like they did) and then when the launch didn't go the way they wanted it to, reassure everyone that they stand behind their promise and guarantee the product will improve and then actually DO it. Not, y'know, cut the entire damn AXG division.

I basically live next door to the site where Intel is set to build their new fabs in Ohio. People used to be absolutely hyped for it and the investment it would bring. Now the general sentiment is Intel is pulling an Amazon and is all talk about this grand new project but the delivery date might as well be 10 years out for all we know.

 

[MikeMurphy]

There is so much negativity and (as the Germans would say) schadenfreude both here and elsewhere, so people don't want a third player in the GPU market?

I really hope Intel are not dragging their heels, hoping they can patch up drivers and people will overlook the shortcomings. Once AMD and Nvidia launches their next gen, these will only look weaker. So assuming there is no yield issue (defective dies etc.), and I expect them to have several hundred thousands of these ready, they should do the following:
Change course and rebrand these as "Arc Alchemist BETA", slash the price in two, and be upfront with this being an "unpolished" product. This would change the public opinion on these inferior products and turn it into something positive. The alternative would probably sell these for cheap to OEMs, which doesn't sound more profitable anyways.


What? Vega 56/64 was a "disaster" for AMD. While Vega 56 slightly outperformed GTX 1070 and Vega 64 matched GTX 1080, they had many problems;
- Vega 56 cost $500 and Vega 64 $700 at launch (with that $100 game bundle gimmick, and liquid cooler for Vega 64), compared to $380 for GTX 1070 and $500 for GTX 1080 (and the Nvidia cards were even obtainable below MSRP). AMD eventually released them without the game bundle at $400/$500, but those were very hard to find. And even then, GTX 1070/1080 still had a better price/performance ratio.
- The power draw were horrible.
- These cards were really hard to find, AMD didn't make many of them as HBM was in short supply and very overpriced, resulting in AMD not earning much on these.

Edit: Typo

For what it's worth my Vega56 has aged like fine wine. Runs cool as a cucumber with an undervolt+ overclock and great driver support. Runs my 4k60 titles like a champ. The same can't be said of the 1070.

 

[ZoneDymo]

What? Vega 56/64 was a "disaster" for AMD. While Vega 56 slightly outperformed GTX 1070 and Vega 64 matched GTX 1080, they had many problems;
- Vega 56 cost $500 and Vega 64 $700 at launch (with that $100 game bundle gimmick, and liquid cooler for Vega 64), compared to $380 for GTX 1070 and $500 for GTX 1080 (and the Nvidia cards were even obtainable below MSRP). AMD eventually released them without the game bundle at $400/$500, but those were very hard to find. And even then, GTX 1070/1080 still had a better price/performance ratio.
- The power draw were horrible.
- These cards were really hard to find, AMD didn't make many of them as HBM was in short supply and very overpriced, resulting in AMD not earning much on these.

Edit: Typo

fine fine, it was hot garbage

 

[Sisyphus]

Everybody loses, i don't get all the happiness

Malicious joy. Group thinking. Connection between identity and preferred branded product. Harmless to others, so no problem.

 

[geniekid]

Brian Krzanich hired Raja, not Gelsinger. So this project is all Krzanich's fault, as he should have been able to see through Mr. Smoke & Mirrors from the start.

I'd argue that Gelsinger is correcting Krzanich's mistake right now, and I will be expecting to see Mr Smoke & Mirrors fired, sorry, sent on a long holiday sometime soon.

Didn't Gelsinger promote Koduri to Executive Vice President recently? I remember thinking to myself, "shouldn't Intel wait for a successful launch first?"

 

[zlobby]

Malicious joy. Group thinking. Connection between identity and preferred branded product. Harmless to others, so no problem.

For me it's just personal satisfaction. It's not a herd mentality or need to be validated by others, but who knows why it's observed in general?

Plus, one can monetize even on this if one knows how to.

 

[ThrashZone]

For what it's worth my Vega56 has aged like fine wine. Runs cool as a cucumber with an undervolt+ overclock and great driver support. Runs my 4k60 titles like a champ. The same can't be said of the 1070.

Hi,
Well that's a first I've read about amd drivers from that age
Only lately have amd drivers been worth beans.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

Hi,
Well that's a first I've read about amd drivers from that age
Only lately have amd drivers been worth beans.

Not so, I haven't had a driver issue in many years, people like to troll the Vega it's that simple.

 

[Tropick]

Malicious joy. Group thinking. Connection between identity and preferred branded product. Harmless to others, so no problem.

You're not kidding, this thread is absolutely baffling. ARC potentially being canceled is not something anyone should be happy or smug about. This is incredibly disappointing and a very bad omen for the GPU space. AMD and Nvidia are getting comfortable in their duopoly and having a third competitor that could provide entry level to midrange cards is sorely needed. Say what you want about Intel, their contempt for their competition has definitely earned them this beating, but rooting for ARC's demise is incredibly naive and represents how common and accepted brand whoring has become in these last few years.

In 6-8 months when people are scratching their heads at why GPU prices are still so high despite the chip shortage largely being over I hope this thread gets referenced. Hope the're as comfortable bowing down to AMVidea as they are with begging for monopolistic corporate behavior. Yeesh.

 

[AusWolf]

I swear if a company as big as Intel, with their olympic size swimming pool of engineering talent and equally large Scrooge McDuck vault of cash decides to give ARC the axe because of simple growing pains I'm throwing in the towel on them ever truly making a comeback. You don't build this much hype and make so many promises around a monumental product line like this and then go "oopsie launch went bad out the airlock it goes!". If they go through with this rumored ARC cancelation they'll deserve every stinking ounce of hate they'll get for it. This is NOT how you stand behind your products. They need to be reassuring their customers that Intel understands the issues they're having and that they're DEDICATED TO FIXING THEM. Absolutely pathetic corporate behavior, ESPECIALLY this ridiculous ask they're making of their AIBs to hawk their barely functional cards to OEMs at a loss to claw back any fraction of their investment they made in their inevitably doomed line of GPUs. PA-THET-IC.

I don't think they can afford to axe the whole project after having invested so much. Even if their losses are too high, they should still try to sell something to make up for at least part of the losses. Total cancellation at this stage doesn't sound logical to me.

 

[ThrashZone]

Not so, I haven't had a driver issue in many years, people like to troll the Vega it's that simple.

Hi,
Well in all honesty vega wasn't a very good naming for US it needed lots of modifications to be took seriously

 

[Tropick]

I don't think they can afford to axe the whole project after having invested so much. Even if their losses are too high, they should still try to sell something to make up for at least part of the losses. Total cancellation at this stage doesn't sound logical to me.

Normally I'd absolutely agree with you, but have you heard about what they just did to Optane? Wrote off $559 MILLION dollars of product just so they could exit the market immediately. An entire division gone overnight. Not even 6 months ago they were attending trade shows showing off new Optane SKUs and singing 3D X-Point's praises and then POOF. Optane was never very profitable so in a way the move is understandable, but that same logic could be applied to these rumors of Intel preparing to get rid of AXG...

This is genuinely unsettling, especially coming from an industry giant like Intel. Points to some serious internal discordance. Like I said, under any other circumstances it would be ridiculous to think they would just completely get rid of AXG after investing so much money in the team, but something weird is going on with Intel right now. It's incredibly disheartening

 

[rustic]

This is al just sensationalizing. So all AIBs are trying to get rid of existing inventory, but one of them is not and is, wait for it, having quality issues. You'll forgive me if I'm a bit skeptical.

The good news is video cards at current prices do not move. Glad to hear that.

I agree with your sensationalism comment, the post says the ARC are on the verge of extinction, then says one AIB is having qualify issues and then finally says, take this info with a grain of salt :/

 

[efikkan]

I don't think they can afford to axe the whole project after having invested so much. Even if their losses are too high, they should still try to sell something to make up for at least part of the losses. Total cancellation at this stage doesn't sound logical to me.

Intel certainly have the ability to sink much more resources into a project if they want to before giving up, just look at Itanium.

But I'm not convinced Intel will give up discrete graphics at this point, and I don't think people should spread that rumor either. Massive negative press can certainly affect decisions in a company, so let's not give the Intel board that idea.

Normally I'd absolutely agree with you, but have you heard about what they just did to Optane? Wrote off $559 MILLION dollars of product just so they could exit the market immediately. An entire division gone overnight. Not even 6 months ago they were attending trade shows showing off new Optane SKUs and singing 3D X-Point's praises and then POOF. Optane was never very profitable so in a way the move is understandable, but that same logic could be applied to these rumors of Intel preparing to get rid of AXG...

I know it's sad, but Optane has effectively been dead for a long time. Development of new generations stopped a couple of years ago, and production of chips by Micron stopped a while ago. Since then Intel have been using remaining stockpiles.

 

[jayjr1105]

Other than people with disposable $ and for sheer curiosity who the heck is going to buy these. Especially with horrendous support for everything pre DX12 which they already admitted isn't going to improve. The driver issues, the rumored faults in the hardware itself. This is much worse than a "bumpy" start.

 

[Assimilator]

ARC potentially being canceled is not something anyone should be happy or smug about.

Why shouldn't I be happy that a bad product is being cancelled?
Why shouldn't I be happy that consumers won't be scammed by that bad product?
Why shouldn't I be happy that Intel's greed and incompetence has finally come back to bite them in the ass?

People like you keep harping on about a third competitor but Arc doesn't compete, it just barely exists. That's simply not acceptable in a market that requires innovation.

 

[GreiverBlade]

oh, well the rumors called it ... battlemage will be cancelled and launching in China is Intel way to cash it quick... so freaking disappointed with Intel ... as i said, in the GN driver fiasco thread ... they are non existant to me now, no matter how strong Raptor Lake will be


also hilarious that Radeon got better and competitive after Raja did go to Intel ... must be a coincidence right?


i have a "you had one job... " moment ... pffff


it's not a grain of salt we need ... it's a boatload.

@TheoneandonlyMrK that makes two ... i also never had any driver issues with any AMD cards in years (while i had quite often to roll back drivers with Nvidia ... oh well, need exceptions to confirm rules? )

 

[AusWolf]

Why shouldn't I be happy that a bad product is being cancelled?
Why shouldn't I be happy that consumers won't be scammed by that bad product?
Why shouldn't I be happy that Intel's greed and incompetence has finally come back to bite them in the ass?

People like you keep harping on about a third competitor but Arc doesn't compete, it just barely exists. That's simply not acceptable in a market that requires innovation.

Did you expect 1st gen Arc to launch and give AMD and Nvidia a thorough beating right from the start? Come on...

1st gen RDNA didn't beat Nvidia, and had lots of driver and heat issues, but we needed AMD to come up with something to break the monopoly. And they did, and now, everyone is happy with RDNA 2.

Normally I'd absolutely agree with you, but have you heard about what they just did to Optane? Wrote off $559 MILLION dollars of product just so they could exit the market immediately. An entire division gone overnight. Not even 6 months ago they were attending trade shows showing off new Optane SKUs and singing 3D X-Point's praises and then POOF. Optane was never very profitable so in a way the move is understandable, but that same logic could be applied to these rumors of Intel preparing to get rid of AXG...

This is genuinely unsettling, especially coming from an industry giant like Intel. Points to some serious internal discordance. Like I said, under any other circumstances it would be ridiculous to think they would just completely get rid of AXG after investing so much money in the team, but something weird is going on with Intel right now. It's incredibly disheartening

All the more reason not to get rid of Arc just yet. It's better to axe one multimillion dollar industry than two.

Besides, Optane was on the market for years, so Intel had time to see that it wasn't profitable. Arc hasn't even been out, yet.

 

[ZoneDymo]

Hi,
Well that's a first I've read about amd drivers from that age
Only lately have amd drivers been worth beans.

Not really, when I had a 7900GTO and an 8800GTS G92 after I had driver issues quite a bit that I remember, but when I stepped to the AMD HD6950 it was smooth sailing.

Both companies seem to be on and off when it comes to drivers it you look at it objectively