Replies to post #24145 on Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[Elmer Phud]

Sgolds -

Having been intimately involved in the RDRAM feasco, I have a different perspective on things. I worked on multiple RDRAM products and the RDRAM technology was manufacturable. The MTH, for reasons I have never seen discussed publicly, was not. At lease in the window of opportunity. I consider that one of the greatest failures of Intel management I have ever witnessed.

Itanium is a large die but what reason do you have to believe it suffers from manufacturing problems? Yes, it's expensive but that's because they can charge that much. It's not a function of cost.

[Golfbum]

The "RDRAM problem" was mostly one of business model. Rambus doesn't manufacture anything but had IP to license for a fee. DRAM manufacturers didn't like the idea of paying a fee for IP. Since they usually trade patents with other manufacturers they are used to "no cash" arrangements.

This obviously didn't work with Rambus since Rambus didn't need to get patents for things they didn't manufacture.

There is some evidence that the DRAM manufacturers got together behind the scenes to ensure Rambus' failure. There are still cases being tried.

MTH was never a good idea and it had lots of technical problems.

gb