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EricHiggin on 25 July 2020
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JEMC said:
EricHiggin said:

Nvidia needs to get more serious about CPU's for the future. With Intel down and about to get curb stomped by AMD, this would be a fairly opportune time to make big moves in the CPU space. Not that purchasing ARM would instantly or easily give them what they need to compete with AMD and Intel overall, but it would strengthen Nvidia's business as is and could help them make a solo push into the mobile/laptop space if they so choose. Intel is now dipping their toes into Nvidia's GPU space, so Nvidia would be smart to do the same or more in the CPU space where they can.

Not sure how exactly the licensing with ARM works or how Nvidia could mess with it if they wanted to or not. Though it would be quite interesting if they could at least set themselves up in certain sectors as the only or main ARM CPU/SOC supplier. Like ARM laptops perhaps, since that market now has some backing and should have room for growth, especially with Intel faltering. Maybe a push to try and become the majority supplier in mobile/handheld gaming?

A deal like this would be really intriguing.

I think Nvidia's best way to get the deal with ARM done without much trobles from watchdogs would be a hands-free approach: they own them, their licences and their profits, and can use their products at will, but ARM would still be free to do their own thing. Plus with Nvidia they're more likely to be able to develop more powerful and expensive products that an owner like Softbank, more focused on profits, wouldn't allow them to pursuit.

Regarding Intel, they can't afford another 10nm fiasco, not with a very competitive AMD that's starting to win marketshare in not only the desktop segment but also the lucrative server one.

And we really need Intel to be competitive just as much as we need AMD, to keep both of them in check and push technology forward.

That's probably the easiest way to allow for smooth sailing, at least for the first while. So ARM would kind of be like G-Sync in a way sort of, minus requiring Nvidia products? License out the tech but also use it to your benefit? ARM having someone like Nvidia to really push the tech in terms of performance and chase x86 would be exciting.

Just saw Moores Law is Dead say Intel's got even bigger issue's behind the scenes as 7nm just may be another 10nm or worse. 2023 for 7nm. Another 3 years for AMD to keep gaining ground and likely beyond that.

To me this is good for now and great for the foreseeable future. Intel didn't just need a spanking, they needed a cricket bat line up worth, and they're getting it. You're right that we don't want AMD becoming Intel, but even if AMD can keep the momentum up as is and build more yet, they still have a long long way to go before they become anything like Intel overall. AMD is nowhere big enough a corp to be a major threat, even for years to come if they grow. This would actually help keep the balance going forward once Intel makes a come back.

You're right though that we don't want Intel to fall too far behind. However, tiny AMD was like a decade behind, and look what they were able to do, so even if it takes Intel until 2025 ish to really get competitive again, they should be able to keep AMD honest enough. I'm ok with it as long and AMD puts enough back into R&D and doesn't just blow the marketing budget out of proportion like Intel, while keeping prices reasonable compared to past Intel top tier products. AMD should also bank some dough while they can because odds are good that when Intel finally decides they've had enough, AMD could find themselves trailing again for a while.

Then again if Intel pulls a faildozer, maybe people will seriously have to start rooting for Nvidia. Though, if they ever gain the CPU performance crown, it's going to cost limbs..