AMD and ATI May Merge

[velocity3k]

The research analysts at RBC Capital Markets believe that a tie-up between graphics chip manufacturer ATI (provider of GPUs for Wii, GCN, and Xbox 360) and microprocessor firm AMD is likely to happen in the near future.

According to RBC Capital Markets, chip maker and Intel rival Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) may be looking to acquire graphics technology company ATI Technologies, which provides the GPUs for the Nintendo GameCube, the forthcoming Wii and Microsoft's Xbox 360.

Analyst Apjit Walia believes that the PC food chain dictates that such a buyout is likely to take place, as graphics companies are often thought to be acquisition targets for microprocessor companies.

"The synergies of this seem consistent with the recent announcements by AMD to significantly increase capacity over the next few-years," said Walia in a research note. "We believe ATI is a rare-buy in the semiconductor space right now given the near-term tie-up dynamics."

While Walia thinks an AMD-ATI merger is a great fit, he doesn't view Intel in the same light. "This tie-up might make sense for AMD at this juncture but we don't think Intel should pursue tying-up with graphics companies and should instead look at the communications-space," he said. "The competitive dynamics of the microprocessor-market seem to be changing permanently. We believe Intel is still not 'reading-the-writing-on-the-wall' and continues to over-focus on PCs."

Intel has been in a price war with AMD and has slashed prices on Celeron, Pentium-4, Pentium-D and Conroe processors. Furthermore, Walia noted that Intel's June quarter is looking "progressively worse" with revenues down close to 10 percent. A buyout of ATI by AMD, however, could benefit the overall graphics industry.

"We turned neutral on Intel couple-of-weeks ago given our view of the risk-reward being balanced given the bad-news out there, but we remain negative on the semi-space," said Walia. "However, this AMD-ATI tie-up would obviously be a clear-positive for the graphics space."

RBC currently has an "outperform" rating and $23 price target on ATI and expects the company to report fiscal 2007 earnings per share of $1.06. RBC has no rating for AMD.

Source | http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=12823&rp=49

[Pink Floyd Veteran]

we'll see what the antitrust org will say about it

[gigapixels Veteran]

Ummm... No.

[DJLunacy]

we'll see what the antitrust org will say about it

And what would you expect them to say?

[Smit]

And what would you expect them to say?

NOOOES!!!

[Baptist]

Meegh wont happen :0

[redhaze]

NOOOES!!!

I don't look at this as a trust since processors and graphics cards do completely different jobs that do not correlate to each other.

I think that this may mean that the new ATI cards might come optimized for AMD chips meaning better performance in games, and if ATI merges with AMD intel might be forced to merge with another company as well in order to keep itself in the market meaning a new array of technology that will benefit us.

A win win situation folks :woot:

and again its just my opinion who cares about it right?

[pyehac]

Maybe a partnership, but hopefully not a merger.

I like ATI, and only recently jumped on the AMD bandwagon, but I don't like them so much that they should merge (even though my second desktop has both products)

[Hurmoth]

Meegh wont happen :0

:laugh: I remember reading the same comments for the Dell/Alienware buyout and also when Apple was preparing to switch to Intel. Anything is possible!

[Colin-uk Veteran]

/me watches nVidea's marketshare drop :p

[libertas83]

I don't really think AMD has the resources for an ATI merger. They are not as big as Intel and they tend to carefully lay out their plans. It just doesn't make good business sense in my opinion. The cost would be too high and way to risky.

[Justin-]

Hope not ...

[Miuku.]

It's actually very likely - and yes, it would make sense from a business sense.

[L3thal Veteran]

That would be a good move for ATI, since at this moment, its getting whooped by nVidia.

[WitCh-Fire]

:laugh: I remember reading the same comments for the Dell/Alienware buyout and also when Apple was preparing to switch to Intel. Anything is possible!

I agree. Anything is possible.

It might create some interesting business upheavals if they do. Its doubtful that they will merge though, more likely a Partnership is in the works.

[jerry]

That would be a good move for ATI, since at this moment, its getting whooped by nVidia.

Discrete graphics marketshare:

Nvidia - 53%

ATI - 46%

Chipset marketshare:

ATI - 12%

Nvidia - 9%

Thats a whopping for sure! :whistle:

ATI's stock went up today because of this rumor, didnt happen with the Intel buying ATI rumor, hmm ..

[Koolslacker]

As long as AMD keeps making better processor than Intel, I really don't care who they merge with or who they buy.

[Lazih3nri]

Lies.

[IceBrewedBeer]

That would be a good move for ATI, since at this moment, its getting whooped by nVidia.

What source do you have to back up this claim.....fanboi =P

[L3thal Veteran]

I was not talking about market share and stock prices, obviously. I was speaking about current cards both companies are offering, in which we all know nVidia has better offerings at the moment.

Of course their stock is going to go up, just like Google's stock goes up when there are rumors of something they are releasing. Rumors are rumors, and until a rep from either company comes forwards and says something, their stock will go back down to where it was.

[jerry]

I was not talking about market share and stock prices, obviously. I was speaking about current cards both companies are offering, in which we all know nVidia has better offerings.

So slightly less performance (general opionion of most reviewing websites), Inferior AF, No HDR+AA, No AVIVO is a better offering? :laugh:

I know Nvidia has more 'mindshare' over ATI (which I think you were getting at) even though their current cards are not as competitive as earlier, more like stop-gap.

[L3thal Veteran]

Less performance?

[jerry]

Less performance?

I said slightly less. Read the conclusions of latest articles, many websites give the nod to ATI.

[L3thal Veteran]

Yes, "many" give the "nod" to ATI, but others give it to nVidia.

According to those benchmarks, I don't see how nVidia's card is slightly slower than ATI's, though that could be me. From what I can ascertain, ATI is the one with slighty less performance.

[jerry]

Yes, "many" give the "nod" to ATI, but others give it to nVidia.

You are going completely off-topic now. ATI has better performance in games like FEAR, Oblivion etc. which is what is playing a major role in what websites recommend.

According to those benchmarks, I don't see how nVidia's card is slightly slower than ATI's, though that could be me. From what I can ascertain, ATI is the one with slighty less performance.

Those benchmarks are ridiculous because:

1. More than half of them have no AA+AF. After spending $500+ on a videocard alone, lets play a game with AA and AF. Yay anyone?

2. Overclocked Nvidia versus stock ATI.

3. ATI AF is different (in a completely different league) compared to Nvidia's AF, so the numbers where AF is used are not fair comparison.

I spoiler tagged all this because its completely off-topic. If you feel necessary please remove it.

Back on topic. :shifty: