Replies to post #93388 on Intel Corp (INTC)

[Elmer Phud]

Does this mean that if AMD, nVidia, or Via want access to a key piece of Intel IP, they can just merge or do a JV with some company that has a license for it?

I don't think there ever was a restriction on Via. Didn't they buy x86 from NSM?

[Elmer Phud]

Since when did PCIe ever limit the performance of graphics? I don't get why the FTC agreement has to spell this out.

It guarantees Nvidia a means of hooking up to Intel CPUs.

[morrowinder]

Tenchu: I was worried about the IP agreement...

I don't know how much it matters but as Elmer mentioned a foundry getting x86 is now a real possibility. On the other hand the price of entry into x86 is pretty damn high.

I don't think the PCI E part is about limiting graphics but making sure that the graphics card makers are not locked out.

I.E. when Sandy Bridge comes along Intel could stop supporting PCI E and you couldn't get a discrete graphics card. This would have never happened but its insurance I think.

The software part is odd. I don't know why anybody would bother to switch compilers at this point. But now they get a free ride from intel. I don't think there will be many takers.

[Windsock]

Does this mean that if AMD, nVidia, or Via want access to a key piece of Intel IP, they can just merge or do a JV with some company that has a license for it?

This means that if AMD is acquired or mergeswith a third company them AMD will get to retain its Intel license including the rights to make X86 processors. Similarly, an acquiring company could obtain access to the Via or nVidia licenses.

[DewDiligence]

FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said Intel configured its compiler so software ran more slowly on processors made by AMD and others.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idCNN047439720100804

In other words, code generated by INTC’s compiler ran more efficiently on INTC’s own processors. Isn’t this to be expected? Did any anyone have to buy a compiler from INTC?