We predicted trouble ahead for NVIDIA in our analysis of the AMD/ATI merger, but unsurprisingly, they're rather upbeat, if a little on the back foot, about the whole thing.
With Intel neglecting to renew ATI's bus license for core-logic solutions (hmmm, wonder why?) that leaves NVIDIA as the only disrete GPU and core logic manufacturer that'll produce products for both Intel and AMD systems. So, while ATI's GPUs will, of course still work on Intel systems, it doesn't look like we're going to see any new mainboard chipsets developed. GeForce and nForce I.E. will continue.
NVIDIA has also said that AMD still needs them. So, don't expect NVIDIA to stop producing technology to rival whatever the new AMD/ATI combo comes up with. Further, NVIDIA becomes 'Intel's best GPU partner', so they say.
All in all it's a tough one for NVIDIA. Their products, both GPU and core-logic, are very popular in conjunction with AMD CPUs, so they can't go abandoning their support for AMD. However, they will make this an opportunity to work closer with Intel, and the 'distracting, complex merger' will make them 'more competitive than ever' against ATI.
All in all, we get a feeling that right now their response is somewhat defensive, but we do wonder what opportunities NVIDIA may be presented with as AMD and ATI sort out the merger. Let's hope we're not left with a choice of AMD & ATI or Intel & NVIDIA...
