GamersCrib
08-20-2008, 05:10 PM
From an article over at engadget (http://engadget.com) there was a hint at maybe Nvidia (http://nvidia.com) announcing a 32bit-Compatible chip next week. Lets take a closer look:
http://gamerscrib.net/banners/8-01-08-nvidia.jpg
NVIDIA might be on a big GPUs-as-CPUs kick right now, but rumors of the company developing a straight-up x86-compatible CPU are as old as the hills, and it looks like they're back for another round. This time it's the Inquirer doing the mongering, with whispers of a release at Nvision next week -- we've got to say that we doubt it, especially given how much trash NVIDIA's talked about Intel and Intel CPUs recently, but we'll certainly be watching this one.
THE HOT RUMOR going around IDF is one that we discussed a long time ago when Nvidia bought Stexar: that the company will do an x86 part. The background whispers say that the part will be announced next week at Nvision, but we don't see that happening.
As we said here and here, Nvidia's men in white coats certainly have the brainpower to do it, but they also most certainly don't have a license to sell such a part. Nvidia may have the arrogance to attempt such a thing while hoping to prevail in court, but I can't see how they would be stupid enough to believe they have a realistic chance of winning that fight.
The problem NV has is that both major x86 players have a lock on the technology, and they don't want any new players in the mix. VIA certainly has a nice part with the Nano, but they barely got out under the threat of a lot of legal fighting, and Nvidia certainly doesn't have the x86 patent leverage VIA has. NV is basically locked out unless Intel and AMD both decide to be magnanimous, and we would not recommend holding your breath waiting for this to happen.
That leaves the lawsuit option open, and again, it is hard to imagine them being that self-destructive. Any attempt to enter the market without a license would bring down Intel legal on them like flying monkeys blackening the sky. It would get ugly. Really ugly. Expensive too.
source (http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/20/nvidia-to-announce-an-x86-compatible-chip-next-week/)
http://gamerscrib.net/banners/8-01-08-nvidia.jpg
NVIDIA might be on a big GPUs-as-CPUs kick right now, but rumors of the company developing a straight-up x86-compatible CPU are as old as the hills, and it looks like they're back for another round. This time it's the Inquirer doing the mongering, with whispers of a release at Nvision next week -- we've got to say that we doubt it, especially given how much trash NVIDIA's talked about Intel and Intel CPUs recently, but we'll certainly be watching this one.
THE HOT RUMOR going around IDF is one that we discussed a long time ago when Nvidia bought Stexar: that the company will do an x86 part. The background whispers say that the part will be announced next week at Nvision, but we don't see that happening.
As we said here and here, Nvidia's men in white coats certainly have the brainpower to do it, but they also most certainly don't have a license to sell such a part. Nvidia may have the arrogance to attempt such a thing while hoping to prevail in court, but I can't see how they would be stupid enough to believe they have a realistic chance of winning that fight.
The problem NV has is that both major x86 players have a lock on the technology, and they don't want any new players in the mix. VIA certainly has a nice part with the Nano, but they barely got out under the threat of a lot of legal fighting, and Nvidia certainly doesn't have the x86 patent leverage VIA has. NV is basically locked out unless Intel and AMD both decide to be magnanimous, and we would not recommend holding your breath waiting for this to happen.
That leaves the lawsuit option open, and again, it is hard to imagine them being that self-destructive. Any attempt to enter the market without a license would bring down Intel legal on them like flying monkeys blackening the sky. It would get ugly. Really ugly. Expensive too.
source (http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/20/nvidia-to-announce-an-x86-compatible-chip-next-week/)